I needed a new poll for the homepage. This is the best I could come up with. It's probably a choice between the first two. Feel free to discuss.

Re-signing Hogan, as it's had an effect on all of those other points. Lewis himself said that it was a big factor in him approaching Melbourne.

In this day and age, it's huge that we were able to hold onto him.

For the first time in a long time I feel we have some real gravitas as a footy club.  No longer hoping against hope that bringing in a bunch of well credentialed kids, due to our lowly position on the ladder, deriving high draft picks, will cure all our ills.  The ship is on an even keel and has the right bearing.  We now have the balance right both on and off the field.  Not only can we feel it, but the entire footy world knows there's something special happening at the club.  The current membership figures would seem to bear this out and the sponsors must be loving us right now.

It's now time to deliver on the field.  I don't expect a flag in 2017, but it is going to be exciting to see what evolves.  Finally, I believe we have got the balance right between youth and seasoned players who will share the load on the leadership front.  I also get the sense that Goody will give the players the freedom to take the game on.

Go Demons.  Season 2017 can't come quick enough for me.

Edited October 21, 20168 yr by iv'a worn smith

Hogan signing on was incredibly important to the club. It's probably had an influence on all of the other options in the poll.

Edited October 21, 20168 yr by Demon Jack

None of the above, just doing all the business with a minimum of fuss, Josh Mahoney being the mouthpiece, and evervbody in and out being treated with respect, that will make us a destination club, along with the onfield success 

Retention of players, not just Hogan.

This is the first year in a long time we haven't had established players walk for greener pastures.

Though I enjoy it, it's great to not have to read up on potential draftees this year.

Option 5 : Hogan works on his set shot routine.

I like Saty's approach. Josh M as the single source of news from the club, no sense of urgency in a calm and measured environment, an acknowledgement that after last years active trade period this year was a time for consolidation, the retention of all draft picks for next year, the nimble response to snare Jordan Lewis for next to nothing, the addition of experience to the enthusiasm of youth, a focus on potential to pick up Patrick McKenna and, as TPF39 said, for the first time the draft is almost incidental, not vital. It's all a sign of maturity and competence. Another small step for our club.

 

I'd go as far to put out there the stability of the development staff - is the bedrock of the club, and  as Bolton from Carlton would put it - the 'green shoots' become voracious bamboo...

Peace and goodwill to my fellow Demonlanders.....

 

Peace and goodwill to my fellow Demonlanders.....

Don't be so silly will.

For me in order.. 

First we get the Sugar.

Then we get money..

Then we get zee Women!

1. Re-signing Jesse Hogan.

2. Getting Lewis.. BECAUSE HE CHOSE US!

3. Clearing the mediocrity we wouldn't of in the old days hung on to for years too long like Sam Blease & Straus. Grimes,

 

Dawes, Newton, M King, M Jones all gone!

Bring the excitement for next year!!

Edited October 21, 20168 yr by Mud Dogs Gonna Win

Not a bad poll to start with at all!

Re-signing Jesse was definitely the key to giving us momentum for 2017. It's put to rest all the issues surrounding him and given confidence to others at the club and (as shown by Lewis) confidence in players from other clubs to look at us. We can tackle 2017 with no dark cloud hanging over us, with the addition of 3 new senior players (counting Melksham as the third), and plenty of reason to have hope.

Hands down re-signing Hogan. The fact he turned down an offer to return to his home state on massive dollars is an amazing achievement for our club. 

Cleveland Indians making their first World Series in 60 years has been amazing in the post season.

Obviously Hogan is number 1 from an MFC perspective.

 

Retention of players, not just Hogan.

This is the first year in a long time we haven't had established players walk for greener pastures.

Though I enjoy it, it's great to not have to read up on potential draftees this year.

Bingo, team? How good is it to build on the playing group you've got and not lose and experienced and required player. This has always annoyed me a great deal. I am in Thailand with the trouble and strife and even the Thais have mentioned this as a positive to the pre season.

 

Cleveland Indians making their first World Series in 60 years has been amazing in the post season.

Obviously Hogan is number 1 from an MFC perspective.

Jeez Powelly, I'm all aquiver about that Cleveland Indian news. I thought they'd been shifted to a reservation in South Dakota.

The sheer professionalism that is evident in everything that the club now does.  Little hype but lots of substance.   The very best indicators of what is to come.  

Other...

Keeping the band together

Nobody from our top 22 requesting to be traded out (unlike every other Club)!

As important as Hogan's re-signing is, I don't think we should under-estimate the impact of Jordan Lewis' decision to sign with us as a matter of choice. What this says about the club is monumental. Here is a guy who has played in the best team of the past 50 years and someone who knows what it takes to be successful. His decision elevates the perception of our club from the "hapless" demons who might be starting to turn things around, to a club that is clearly in a position to do something special. The impact of this on sponsors and supporters is invaluable but consider the effect it must be having on our list. Our young players will be thinking how great it is that they have someone with his knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be successful. The middle band and fringe players will see it as a spur to lift their efforts. Lewis' inclusion, along with Hibberd and Melksham, means the competition for spots has gone up several notches. No more easy selections at the Dees. No more games because there's nobody else to pick from. Perform or play at Casey! Our older players such as Jones, Vince and Lumumba now have someone else to share the task of leading and educating the young guys. 

Lewis provides us with with experience, stability and talent. He knows how to win close games and how to bury the opposition when the opportunity arises. Who else on our list has this experience? His signing is, in my opinion, far more valuable than re-signing Hogan. I know how valuable he is to our structure and that he has the potential to be one of the greats but, at this stage, that's all he is - potential. Without wanting to anoint Lewis as the messiah, he may yet prove to be just a very naughty boy, he offers a new layer to the hope we always have at this time of year. He is something tangible and perhaps the most significant signing in the last 10 - 15 years. I think he will rank alongside Jackson and Roos as the catalyst for sustainable success.

FARKIMAPPY.

GO DEES!

For too long we have been burdening one player or coach to take the lead/responsibility to lift our club. I can remember the expectation put on players such as Molloy, Tilbrook, Moore, Templeton, Watts, Scully, Trengove and coaches such as Beckwith, Ridley, Skilton and Barassi, all to no avail. Who woyuld have expected Northey and Daniher to be our most successful coaches in 52 years? And our very best players, including Flower, Schwarz, Lyon and Neitz, grew into their reputations.

Over the past 52 years we have had periods of relative success (finals in 1987-1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004-2006) when there was no single shining star but rather a team that grew together. Sure there were great players but the success came from within.

It takes a whole club and a united team to succeed. Leave Jesse Hogan and Jordan Lewis alone - the former to develop without unfair pressure and the latter still has to make his mark with us playing in a weaker, less experienced and, so far, less cohesive team.

On 21/10/2016 at 3:58 PM, Satyriconhome said:

None of the above, just doing all the business with a minimum of fuss, Josh Mahoney being the mouthpiece, and evervbody in and out being treated with respect, that will make us a destination club, along with the onfield success 

I know it's off topic, but who recruited Josh Mahoney to the club? When he was chosen I'll admit I had doubts about his suitability for the position which only goes to show that considering a person's ability to be a football administrator shouldn't be linked to their capabilities as a player. From the outside, he seems to me to be highly capable and should not be ignored.  

Picking some winners during the spring racing carnival.

4 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I know it's off topic, but who recruited Josh Mahoney to the club? When he was chosen I'll admit I had doubts about his suitability for the position which only goes to show that considering a person's ability to be a football administrator shouldn't be linked to their capabilities as a player. From the outside, he seems to me to be highly capable and should not be ignored.  

Not so off topic as he has been a major part of the post season - exudes calm, confidence and fairness!

To answer your question - he joined the coaching team under Dean Bailey - they had been together at Port.

When PJ arrived he was looking for an experienced Football Manager but when PJ got a very experienced coach in Roos, they decided to take a 'rookie' as Football Manager ie Roos didn't need a 'babysitter', and Mahoney cost a lot less.  Then let him grow into the role, with PJ and Roos to learn from and guide him.

Needless to say, Mahoney has been outstanding!

My fear is that some wealthy club will come along and poach him.  But I hope that finishing what he started (a premiership with the Dees) will be enough to keep him with us.