We promised Tom Rockliff a rookie spot and instead took Liam Jurrah.

As good as Jurrah was and as much as Rockliff is said to be a prat, Rockliff would have been a much better pick.

If Liam didn't go off the rails, he'd be a champion of the competition by now, Rockliff'd be luck to carry his bags... 

As a long time scribe on the Demons, our story and our indigenous players, I thought it very appropriate that Martin Flanagan was there and chaired the Q&A. 

Rubbish tokenism.

I'll let others gush.

It feels so so long ago that Jurrah played for us. You look back all those years ago and players we had it just feels like a different period in our life. It was a horrible one. 

Now it just feels new and hopeful and exciting. 

Anyway it was good to see Aussie as well and I do hope Jurrah gets to a happy point in his life. 

Yes it was good to see Martin there chairing it. 

27 minutes ago, willmoy said:

"the stories of Austin and Liam are our stories", gives me goosebumps and a tear at the same time........

So true.

You can only hope that a guy like Jurrah coming into our club would have a different experience today. The obstacles were immense, and to some extent, societal and beyond the control of the club. Despite that, I'm sure at the time we felt like we were doing 'everything' to support him. But even in the space of 5 or so years, the definition of 'everything' can change quite a bit, as understanding grows. That the club is willing to embrace what went on in that era, good and bad, bodes well for future players from similar backgrounds. And I think it's a credit to these guys that they're willing to put themselves front and centre to ensure that.

1 hour ago, faultydet said:

As much as I gnashed my teeth whenever Jurrah avoided physical contact, I would never have been able to describe him as "meh" He was a freakish talent. A level below Jakovich/Schwarz/Farmer, but a simply brilliant player.

We took a punt, and unearthed a player of stunning ability, who was from another world (hope that comes across the way its intended) A world that didn't allow him to have a long career, mores the pity.

I'm thankful we tried.

 

As for Jetta, I think it's a shame that he will probably only be seen for the player he was, after he has retired.

Whelan is a player who comes to mind, when looking at Nev.

I didn't describe him as meh? Meh are my thoughts around him being a or "the most wasted talent".

For you to say he was cowardly shows a bit about you rather than him id think.

His 3rd or 4th language was our language, he played on dirt prior to coming here, "defensive" pressure was not something he was ever taught.. 

16 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Rubbish tokenism.

I'll let others gush.

Hope you are enjoying the view from your 'high horse'.

If you can't contribute why bother posting...on second thoughts don't answer!

Wow wouldn't it be great if they were all on our list right now? Still love the frogy dance by Aussie at the G.

10 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Hope you are enjoying the view from your 'high horse'.

If you can't contribute why bother posting...on second thoughts don't answer!

But I am contributing.  I don't like the "plan".  I don't like the division.  I don't like the view that the MFC is supposedly not reconciled.

Clearly. I have a different view to you.  

I'm not into race politics.

23 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

I didn't describe him as meh? Meh are my thoughts around him being a or "the most wasted talent".

For you to say he was cowardly shows a bit about you rather than him id think.

His 3rd or 4th language was our language, he played on dirt prior to coming here, "defensive" pressure was not something he was ever taught.. 

He was cowardly.

Incredibly talented, but gutless when a physical contest was required.

Tell me what it says about me.

pm if you choose. 

Jurrah was special....... I need say no more but perhaps flowers were never meant to bloom in the concrete cracks

1 hour ago, jnrmac said:

We promised Tom Rockliff a rookie spot and instead took Liam Jurrah.

As good as Jurrah was and as much as Rockliff is said to be a prat, Rockliff would have been a much better pick.

We were set to take Rockcliff with pick 1 in the pre season draft.

Jurrah [censored] up his application for the National draft and the AFL allowed his application lapse to the pre season draft.

We were confident we could get both using pick 1 of the rookie draft on Rockcliff, There was a huge knock on Rockliffs tank.

Brisbane picked Rockcliff in the pre season.

They got Rockcliff and we got Jurrah and Jordie McKenzie.

 

26 minutes ago, ProDee said:

I don't like the view that the MFC is supposedly not reconciled.

Nice try.

Expand a bit on that sentence. Within the context of what it's actually about.

"The RAP is a business plan that documents what an organisation commits to and will contribute to reconciliation in Australia."

Cheers

6 minutes ago, Sigil said:

Nice try.

Expand a bit on that sentence. Within the context of what it's actually about.

"The RAP is a business plan that documents what an organisation commits to and will contribute to reconciliation in Australia."

Cheers

Reconciliation assumes there's a divide.

I don't see that.

Cheers.

35 minutes ago, faultydet said:

He was cowardly.

Incredibly talented, but gutless when a physical contest was required.

Tell me what it says about me.

pm if you choose. 

Big call Faulty you have been there then and have walked into the breach when it was your turn in matches? Jurrah wasn't built for the crash and bash stuff. If I was his coach I would not be encouraging him to go in and under with Jones and Viney in Melbourne  

 

2 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Reconciliation assumes there's a divide.

I don't see that.

Cheers.

That's fine.

I also don't see the "tokenism" and letting "other people" gush as a valid viewpoint because I perceive more meaning in that than I probably should. But that's okay too

I also don't see the problem with organisational plans that try to encourage other people in the community who aren't like me. I've got it pretty easy and I feel it's pretty easy to say (from my perspective)  "You know what, it doesn't hurt me and if there is a positive response to something that in no way affects me, changes my life etc. etc. and makes a difference to younger members of our community I'm all for it".

I'm not into "race politics" either. Because it's lame and being nice isn't hard.

1 minute ago, Earl Hood said:

Big call Faulty you have been there then and have walked into the breach when it was your turn in matches? Jurrah wasn't built for the crash and bash stuff. If I was his coach I would not be encouraging him to go in and under with Jones and Viney in Melbourne  

 

Earl, you are approaching this from the angle that the AFL is harder and tougher than every other league.

Its not.

Fitter, more skillful, more structured etc. Yes, of course it is. Light years ahead, as any pro league should be.

But EVERY country comp has its share of tough as nails blokes, who, with better skill and fitness, would make the transition from country, to city footy.

Jurrah was as skilled as any player I have ever seen. But he avoided physical contact too often. I watched him as a huge fan, and even then was embarrassed by the things I witnessed. He actually moved AWAY from contest after contest, and waited for the ball to fall his way. It was bloody awful to see.

13 minutes ago, Sigil said:

That's fine.

I also don't see the "tokenism" and letting "other people" gush as a valid viewpoint because I perceive more meaning in that than I probably should. But that's okay too

I also don't see the problem with organisational plans that try to encourage other people in the community who aren't like me. I've got it pretty easy and I feel it's pretty easy to say (from my perspective)  "You know what, it doesn't hurt me and if there is a positive response to something that in no way affects me, changes my life etc. etc. and makes a difference to younger members of our community I'm all for it".

I'm not into "race politics" either. Because it's lame and being nice isn't hard.

Seemingly, you are.

1 minute ago, ProDee said:

Seemingly, you are.

Correct. But I was quoting you buddy.

Again, the topic of this thread doesn't hurt me in anyway or affect my life. 

If it affects someone positively I'm all for it. If someone gets a bit cranky about it on the internet and their quality of life isn't substantially affected... I don't really give a fizzle whizzle.

33 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Reconciliation assumes there's a divide.

I don't see that.

Cheers.

Are you talking about the MFC in particular or Australia in general? Because if it's the former I agree but if it's the latter I don't know what planet you've been living on.

3 hours ago, Earl Hood said:

Is this the Internet of things gone mad? 

So ... isn't that just the internet?

I'm surprised I'm the only one to have this view, but I'm very disappointed the MFC has welcomed Jurrah back to the club with open arms. I know he was a sublime player and a nice story, but he's been jailed for assaulting two women. I don't think anyone who behaves like that should be welcome in our club.    

58 minutes ago, tilly18 said:

We were set to take Rockcliff with pick 1 in the pre season draft.

Jurrah [censored] up his application for the National draft and the AFL allowed his application lapse to the pre season draft.

We were confident we could get both using pick 1 of the rookie draft on Rockcliff, There was a huge knock on Rockliffs tank.

Brisbane picked Rockcliff in the pre season.

They got Rockcliff and we got Jurrah and Jordie McKenzie.

 

Hi Tilly, long time no see.

Rocky was a classic case of could've, should've Every club makes mistakes.

Jurrah was almost an inspired choice. So near, but so far.

Our list now has the ability to bring us a flag. Lets see if they have the commitment.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/susie-obrien/susie-obrien-exdemon-liam-jurrahs-violent-past-undermines-reconciliation-message/news-story/510eb71ae7985df182e2cd83fb7b0f8f