Jump to content

Featured Replies

 

I was thinking the same thing WJ after reading about the young Irishma last week.

We were one of the very first clubs to recruit Irishman, but sadly it's been too long since doing so, i would like to know the reason why we are not at least looking at these young men any more?

Looks like we've taken the basketball path.

Smith & Maynard look good prospects and there are only so many spots available on the list.

 

I don't know why we stopped pickings them we should of had a life time  mortgage on them

We did waste a few years looking in New Zealand. Are the odds of plucking a player from Ireland any better than looking at other sports (eg basketball or athletics)?


On 26/09/2017 at 11:59 AM, poita said:

We did waste a few years looking in New Zealand. Are the odds of plucking a player from Ireland any better than looking at other sports (eg basketball or athletics)?

Basketball is a good bet now, arguably better than Gaelic football for a number of reasons. Generally, anyone playing at least representative state basketball needs a relatively good basketball IQ, which is often not taught. The complexities of the sport and its plays often demand a bright player. So if you're digging into the basketball talent pool you're almost guaranteed a smart kid that is adaptable and knows how to apply complex tactics on game day. On top of that, the modern basketball game shares a demand for core strength, so the physical transition isn't as tough. Basketball is all about using your core strength to get front position and protect the ball, which is half the battle in AFL. Completely different sports yet strangely share a lot in common. Gaelic football on the other hard is an AFL-soccer hybrid that discourages physical contact and isn't anywhere near as tactical.

  • 1 month later...
  • Author
On 06/10/2017 at 7:04 AM, Whispering_Jack said:

One of those Irish prospects Cillian McDaid has been impressive this week with his foot skills and athleticism and  has attracted the interest of Essendon and Carlton.

At this stage, no reports of any interest from the MFC in renewing what was once called "the Irish experiment".

... and it still irks me remembering the times when the MFC took risks and spent time, effort and money on the Irish experiment and was rewarded by a Brownlow Medallist who went on to become Club President in Jimmy Stynes and a great footballer in Sean Wight who also served on the club committee after he retired.

These days, we don't seem to be interested.

AFL draft 2017: Carlton set to sign highly rated Irish youngster Cillian McDaid

 

 
38 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

... and it still irks me remembering the times when the MFC took risks and spent time, effort and money on the Irish experiment and was rewarded by a Brownlow Medallist who went on to become Club President in Jimmy Stynes and a great footballer in Sean Wight who also served on the club committee after he retired.

These days, we don't seem to be interested.

AFL draft 2017: Carlton set to sign highly rated Irish youngster Cillian McDaid

 

To be honest lists were a lot bigger in those days and you could have more spec players on your list.

Perhaps the AFL needs an academy in Ireland. Pity that Ireland is not a big draw country. Imagine if say Canada or France had a Gaelic tradition and were then available for growing the game.

In the future I am worried that the power clubs will be able to spend money on overseas development. In return they will demand a form of exclusivity. After all there is a limit on how many local netball teams you can fund. :rolleyes:

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

... and it still irks me remembering the times when the MFC took risks and spent time, effort and money on the Irish experiment and was rewarded by a Brownlow Medallist who went on to become Club President in Jimmy Stynes and a great footballer in Sean Wight who also served on the club committee after he retired.

These days, we don't seem to be interested.

AFL draft 2017: Carlton set to sign highly rated Irish youngster Cillian McDaid

 

We've taken the basketball experiment and it looks to be paying off.

Smith and Maynard look pretty good to me.

We can't spread too thin...


How many irishmen have made the grade, and how many have been consummate failures..?

I'd have to say we've been a bit more responsible and economical with our limited resources by not chasing the irish dragon, so to speak.
Stynes was the exception, not the rule.

3 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

That second game was brilliant, I just love seeing Jetta play so we’ll alongside the other stars of the game.

We see it time and time again, but how good is the Jetta sidestep?

Great to hear the Perth crowd cheer when he left a couple of Irish players standing still.


18 hours ago, Demonland said:

Last week I thought Jetta's style of play wasn't suited to the International Rules game but he was excellent last night. 

Just like how at the start of the year he wasn't suited to Goodwin's game style according to some here.

By the way, I can't edit my typo which is frustrating.

  • 1 year later...
On 11/18/2017 at 12:36 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

... and it still irks me remembering the times when the MFC took risks and spent time, effort and money on the Irish experiment and was rewarded by a Brownlow Medallist who went on to become Club President in Jimmy Stynes and a great footballer in Sean Wight who also served on the club committee after he retired.

These days, we don't seem to be interested.

AFL draft 2017: Carlton set to sign highly rated Irish youngster Cillian McDaid

 

Lets not forget we also had a number of Irish recruits that failed miserably, notably one carrying the surname Stynes.

But I agree we shouldn't be dismissing the Irish now.

I think we have just decided the cost is too high, for success in finding Irish players for the list.

We are probably using our dollars elsewhere.


On 11/18/2017 at 2:38 PM, Mach5 said:

How many irishmen have made the grade, and how many have been consummate failures..?

I'd have to say we've been a bit more responsible and economical with our limited resources by not chasing the irish dragon, so to speak.
Stynes was the exception, not the rule.

Sean Wight was no footballing mug, either. 'Champion' is the only word to describe him.

Has been luck for us but no so lucky for them.

5 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Sean Wight was no footballing mug, either. 'Champion' is the only word to describe him.

I'll be the first of many to say, he was Scottish. But how did he self identify?

 
29 minutes ago, Engorged Onion said:

I'll be the first of many to say, he was Scottish. But how did he self identify?

I'd heard that he was born in Scotland, but clung to an Irish identity for some reason, or lived in a mix of the two. Uncertain; however, in terms of his arrival at the MFC, he seemed to be content with being attached to '...the Irish experiment...' and unlike us down under, it really was only a matter of a ferry ride of a few miles to live Irish/Scottish/Irish/Scottish. He did explain to the press once that he was Scottish, for what it is worth. Hey, we got a novice Aussie Rules Scotsman with a penchant for Gaelic football from Ireland and we cannot discount the historical genome of Gaelic being a major part of both Ireland and Scotland, for centuries.He turned out to be a champion player in our game, getting better and better every year. He played like an Aussie, had the brain for the sport of 'football' like a Scotsman, and revelled on the field like a possessed Irishman on a holy mission. Great mix!

43 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

I'd heard that he was born in Scotland, but clung to an Irish identity for some reason, or lived in a mix of the two. Uncertain; however, in terms of his arrival at the MFC, he seemed to be content with being attached to '...the Irish experiment...' and unlike us down under, it really was only a matter of a ferry ride of a few miles to live Irish/Scottish/Irish/Scottish. He did explain to the press once that he was Scottish, for what it is worth. Hey, we got a novice Aussie Rules Scotsman with a penchant for Gaelic football from Ireland and we cannot discount the historical genome of Gaelic being a major part of both Ireland and Scotland, for centuries.He turned out to be a champion player in our game, getting better and better every year. He played like an Aussie, had the brain for the sport of 'football' like a Scotsman, and revelled on the field like a possessed Irishman on a holy mission. Great mix!

I have no idea if he was catholic or Protestant but I have Catholic friends who are from Glasgow with Irish heritage. They identify with being both Scottish and Irish. 


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...

Featured Content

  • PREVIEW: Carlton

    Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

    • 0 replies
  • REPORT: North Melbourne

    I suppose that I should apologise for the title of this piece, but the temptation to go with it was far too great. The memory of how North Melbourne tore Melbourne apart at the seams earlier in the season and the way in which it set the scene for the club’s demise so early in the piece has been weighing heavily upon all of us. This game was a must-win from the club’s perspective, and the team’s response was overwhelming. The 36 point win over Alastair Clarkson’s Kangaroos at the MCG on Sunday was indeed — roovenge of the highest order!

    • 4 replies
  • CASEY: Werribee

    The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season. The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

    • 0 replies
  • PREGAME: Carlton

    The Demons return to the MCG as the the visiting team on Saturday night to take on the Blues who are under siege after 4 straight losses. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Haha
    • 221 replies
  • PODCAST: North Melbourne

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 14th July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees glorious win over the Kangaroos at the MCG.
    Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Thanks
      • Like
    • 29 replies
  • POSTGAME: North Melbourne

    The Demons are finally back at the MCG and finally back on the winners list as they continually chipped away at a spirited Kangaroos side eventually breaking their backs and opening the floodgates to run out winners by 6 goals.

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 253 replies