Jump to content

URGENT ATTENTION: Major Site Update Will Require Email Address for Login and NOT Username. Please Ensure Your Email Address is Current.

Recommended Posts

Posted
5 hours ago, Patches O’houlihan said:

Petracca did have concerns about his role at the end of last year, thought he should have been playing more midfield time. turns out he was right and it was addressed. 

This is one area where i'll give Goody credit. he listened to Trac, put him with Oliver during the pre season and told him to build his tank and training standards. Trac responded and now he's won a Bluey, will probably be AA and a better than sneaky chance at the brownlow. 

Exactly 

Posted
4 hours ago, daisycutter said:

i agree the fa recipient gets too good a deal.

something along your lines or similar is required to "even" it up a bit

i also don't think father/son or academy picks should get a 20% discount. just getting the player and only having to pay in pick values is benefit enough

Similar: discount on academy or f/s could decrease with ladder percentage. 

Although I think 20% is too much. 

Posted
10 hours ago, Rab D Nesbitt said:

Hi goodwindees. I don't think we've spoken on the forum before. Were you given any indication as to when during the season this discussion took place ? I guess I'm just trying to pinpoint whether how the team were travelling at the time could have had anything to do with his enquiry ? 

Hi Rab. He phoned D’Orazio who is his Manager on Saturday night. I genuinely believe Christian loves the Club and probably loves every single person in it, however, I suspect that Christian genuinely believes he’s built for Grand Finals and has a burning desire to play in a FEW before he’s finished and might have just had some doubts.

He’s contracted for two years so that’s that, however, I’d be very worried that if the Dees aren’t a GENUINE Premiership contender at the end of this Contract, he won’t finish his career at the Dees.  Time will tell. 

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 2
Posted
20 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Hi Rab. He phoned D’Orazio who is his Manager on Saturday night. I genuinely believe Christian loves the Club and probably loves every single person in it, however, I suspect that Christian genuinely believes he’s built for Grand Finals and has a burning desire to play in a FEW before he’s finished and might have just had some doubts.

He’s contracted for two years so that’s that, however, I’d be very worried that if the Dees aren’t a GENUINE Premiership contender at the end of this Contract, he won’t finish his career at the Dees.  Time will tell. 

Wow. That's a great insight into how he sees his career trajectory. Thanks for sharing it on DL. 

It would be a shame of course if he were to leave after the club being so patient with his development. He's only been a superstar for five minutes in his football timeline to date but perhaps he sees the 2 year extension he penned as being a part repayment for that. The balance will be forthcoming as you say if we can provide him with a talented enough ensemble to reach his goals. 

Posted
35 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Hi Rab. He phoned D’Orazio who is his Manager on Saturday night. I genuinely believe Christian loves the Club and probably loves every single person in it, however, I suspect that Christian genuinely believes he’s built for Grand Finals and has a burning desire to play in a FEW before he’s finished and might have just had some doubts.

He’s contracted for two years so that’s that, however, I’d be very worried that if the Dees aren’t a GENUINE Premiership contender at the end of this Contract, he won’t finish his career at the Dees.  Time will tell. 

Maybe he should focus on being a more consistent footballer over a longer period before trying to just walk into a premiership contender.  In fairness the bloke has played 1 good season out of 6 

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Posted
32 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Hi Rab. He phoned D’Orazio who is his Manager on Saturday night. I genuinely believe Christian loves the Club and probably loves every single person in it, however, I suspect that Christian genuinely believes he’s built for Grand Finals and has a burning desire to play in a FEW before he’s finished and might have just had some doubts.

He’s contracted for two years so that’s that, however, I’d be very worried that if the Dees aren’t a GENUINE Premiership contender at the end of this Contract, he won’t finish his career at the Dees.  Time will tell. 

Weird that he would ring his manager straight after a win and knowing that he could also potentially play finals the following week.... like let's be honest? Why would a players first instinct is to immediately call his manager couple of hours after a win? I would think in a competition sport your emotions are quite high with positivity and celebration, not to look at assessing your options, especially when finals are still in reach.

I'm not questioning you @goodwindees, but I just question the seriousness of the story.

  • Like 2
Posted
Just now, dazzledavey36 said:

Weird that he would ring his manager straight after a win and knowing that he could also potentially play finals the following week.... like let's be honest? Why would a players first instinct is to immediately call his manager couple of hours after a win? I would think in a competition sport your emotions are quite high with positivity and celebration, not to look at assessing your options, especially when finals are still in reach.

I'm not questioning you @goodwindees, but I just question the seriousness of the story.

Yep I question this too.

Saturday night the Dogs were yet to play, so we were still very much in the finals hunt. Even assuming Petracca was having those thoughts, would he really have called his manager on the Saturday night?

  • Like 1

Posted (edited)
43 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

Maybe he should focus on being a more consistent footballer over a longer period before trying to just walk into a premiership contender.  In fairness the bloke has played 1 good season out of 6 

I don't wish to deflect this thread from Oliver but I feel it is important to clarify that statement. 

He has shown consistent improvement since he started playing.

  • Year 1 - 2015.  Out injured with ACL.  Interrupted preseason.
  • Year 2 - 2016.  Out injured (toe).  Interrupted preseason.  Debuted rmd 6.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 12.11
  • Year 3 - 2017.  First full pre-season.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 22.6
  • Year 4 - 2018.  Played mainly fwd.  Had poor goal kicking 19.23
  • Year 5 - 2019   Played fwd and mid.  Leading club goal kicker 22.14.  Came 5th in BnF.
  • Year 6 - 2020   A stellar year. 

So it took him approx 3.5 years not 6 (mid 2016 to the start of 2020) to reach his "one good season".   Players don't suddenly have one good season.  It is built on hard work with consistent growth and improvement. 

imv it is a bit unfair to say he wants to walk into a premiership contender.  Perhaps he wants to be at a club where everyone (on and off the field) works as hard as he does at being the best they can be.

I've heard he is fully committed to winning a premiership at the dees.  He plays like he does.

Edited by Lucifer's Hero
  • Like 16
Posted

It's a funny thing, loyalty.

We expect it from our players, but are quite happy when the club doesn't show it to the players we want moved on.

To me, the club has shown Trac plenty of loyalty and support throughout his career, even if we haven't exactly set the world alight outside of 2018.  So you would hope that he would return that loyalty, especially now that he is really hitting his stride as a footballer.

Time will tell I guess, but if by the time of his next contract we haven't played finals again, could you really blame him for looking at his options?

  • Like 3

Posted
15 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I don't wish to deflect this thread from Oliver but I feel it is important to clarify that statement. 

He has shown consistent improvement since he started playing.

  • Year 1 - 2015.  Out injured with ACL.  Interrupted preseason.
  • Year 2 - 2016.  Out injured (toe).  Interrupted preseason.  Debuted rmd 6.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 12.11
  • Year 3 - 2017.  First full pre-season.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 22.6
  • Year 4 - 2018.  Played mainly fwd.  Had poor goal kicking 19.23
  • Year 5 - 2019   Played fwd and mid.  Leading club goal kicker 22.14.  Came 5th in BnF.
  • Year 6 - 2020   A stellar year. 

So it took him approx 3.5 years not 6 (mid 2016 to the start of 2020) to reach his "one good season".   Players don't suddenly have one good season.  It is built on hard work with consistent growth and improvement. 

imv it is a bit unfair to say he wants to walk into a premiership contender.  Perhaps he wants to be at a club where everyone (on and off the field) works as hard as he does at being the best they can be.

I've heard he is fully committed to winning a premiership at the dees.  He plays like he does.

I am not doubting his development but you don’t rule the roost after 1 good season.  If he wants us to be great then it’s on him and the rest of the players to get us there. 

  • Like 3
Posted
17 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I don't wish to deflect this thread from Oliver but I feel it is important to clarify that statement. 

He has shown consistent improvement since he started playing.

  • Year 1 - 2015.  Out injured with ACL.  Interrupted preseason.
  • Year 2 - 2016.  Out injured (toe).  Interrupted preseason.  Debuted rmd 6.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 12.11
  • Year 3 - 2017.  First full pre-season.  Played mainly fwd.  Kicked 22.6
  • Year 4 - 2018.  Played mainly fwd.  Had poor goal kicking 19.23
  • Year 5 - 2019   Played fwd and mid.  Leading club goal kicker 22.14.  Came 5th in BnF.
  • Year 6 - 2020   A stellar year. 

So it took him approx 3.5 years not 6 (mid 2016 to the start of 2020) to reach his "one good season".   Players don't suddenly have one good season.  It is built on hard work with consistent growth and improvement. 

imv it is a bit unfair to say he wants to walk into a premiership contender.  Perhaps he wants to be at a club where everyone (on and off the field) works as hard as he does at being the best they can be.

I've heard he is fully committed to winning a premiership at the dees.  He plays like he does.

Totally agree LH. I actually think the whole break out narrative is a complete nonsense and has impacted how his career thus far has been viewed, which is by and large he hasn't fulfilled his talent until this year. Even some die hard dees fans on this site underrate both his output and consistency.

Part of the issue is that he is obviously super talented and people want to see break out games. But he is the ultimate team player and often has looked to give off goals rather than go for glory himself. If he was less team focused he would have a lot more highlights (and goals) which often is all the peanuts commentators notice or opposition fans see (think Degoey early on).

I thought he was close to our best player last year, loved his consistency and i put a big store in players who play well in losing sides so my respect for him grew a lot. And he was terrific in his other season too.

He has been amazing this year. Arguably the best season from a dee in a long time. An AA lock a long way out. Obviously that was on the back of the work he put in to get super fit, but even that is sometimes framed as a negative. As in great he did it this year - why hasn't he before?

Well for one thing, as you point out Luci he had an ACL in his first year and an interrupted preseason the next year. Also he has the build of a power athlete, not a runner, so i'm sure it takes longer for him to reach peak fitness (i remember reading Burgess saying it can take a player three full preseason of work to get to peak fitness).  

  • Like 4
  • Love 1
Posted
1 hour ago, goodwindees said:

Hi Rab. He phoned D’Orazio who is his Manager on Saturday night. I genuinely believe Christian loves the Club and probably loves every single person in it, however, I suspect that Christian genuinely believes he’s built for Grand Finals and has a burning desire to play in a FEW before he’s finished and might have just had some doubts.

He’s contracted for two years so that’s that, however, I’d be very worried that if the Dees aren’t a GENUINE Premiership contender at the end of this Contract, he won’t finish his career at the Dees.  Time will tell. 

If anything I view the reaction as similar to the one I had after we lost to Freo (& subsequently after last weekend).

Desperate disappointment with where the club is at and a need to know that we are a genuine chance at winning the thing. I think the club has one season to prove the core of this list is supported to win it all, or those guys will all want to go where they are a greater chance at winning.

Truck busted his guts this year and on occasion that was enough to get us over the line, but there were more than a few times where we were carrying too many. I get the frustration.

  • Like 6
Posted

This is my worry with where our club is at. If we don't show proper improvement and have a clear direction as to where we are going then we essentially become a feeder club for the good teams. Who is to say that we aren't already that now, along with a few other clubs mind you. 

As someone said earlier, most players seem to love the NBA and they have been watching how the good players essentially just pack up and go to a power team so they can win a championship and how normal it has become for them. Even watching players like Lynch go to the tigers and grab a flag straight away and the way it is seemingly more and more accepted will make it more acceptable to them to spend their development years at a club, become a good player and then leave for success. 

The way that free agency is almost designed now, it sets up the comp for this feeder club scenario to emerge and explains how the cats are able to finish top 4 in 11 of the past 14 years. The draft was brought in to even up the comp but free agency has destroyed that. 

  • Like 8
  • Thanks 1
  • Love 1
Posted
2 hours ago, Age said:

This is my worry with where our club is at. If we don't show proper improvement and have a clear direction as to where we are going then we essentially become a feeder club for the good teams. Who is to say that we aren't already that now, along with a few other clubs mind you. 

As someone said earlier, most players seem to love the NBA and they have been watching how the good players essentially just pack up and go to a power team so they can win a championship and how normal it has become for them. Even watching players like Lynch go to the tigers and grab a flag straight away and the way it is seemingly more and more accepted will make it more acceptable to them to spend their development years at a club, become a good player and then leave for success. 

The way that free agency is almost designed now, it sets up the comp for this feeder club scenario to emerge and explains how the cats are able to finish top 4 in 11 of the past 14 years. The draft was brought in to even up the comp but free agency has destroyed that. 

We were touted as being a "destination club a couple of years back".

If we dont show some serious umprovement with our current list and make finals consistently then its understandable good players are tempted to leave.

We have lost quite a few in the past and clubs like ours get stuck in a rut of low performance.

I dare say we are not a destination club nor glamour club by any stretch.

I hope Oliver stays and contributes towards our success.

  • Like 1

Posted
6 hours ago, Age said:

then we essentially become a feeder club for the good teams

This has been my worry for several years now. We are never going to win a flag if every time we start to build a list we lose a key player.

  • Like 1
Posted
On 9/23/2020 at 10:29 PM, Storm Boy said:

But Sam McClure made it very clear he is contracted and will be playing for Melbourne 2021. 

Was it not the same time last year the rumour about tracc  not happy, just sht story with no substance. 

Posted

I think some media folk made too much of Clarry’s demeanour in his speech. Admittedly I’ve heard little of it. However he is not exactly the best media performer or public speaker. Doesn’t come naturally for him. And that’s fine. 


Posted
8 hours ago, ChaserJ said:

If anything I view the reaction as similar to the one I had after we lost to Freo (& subsequently after last weekend).

Desperate disappointment with where the club is at and a need to know that we are a genuine chance at winning the thing. I think the club has one season to prove the core of this list is supported to win it all, or those guys will all want to go where they are a greater chance at winning.

Truck busted his guts this year and on occasion that was enough to get us over the line, but there were more than a few times where we were carrying too many. I get the frustration.

He has said in the past he wants be a Hall of Famer. Mainly you get that by playing and starring in finals and Grand Finals. Not by almost making finals every year

  • Like 1

Posted
6 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

Tell that to Bobby Skilton

More so Tell that to Rob Flower... Almost ALWAYS the best in Victorian Games! 

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
On 9/23/2020 at 11:08 PM, goodwindees said:

 I was told earlier this week by a source that has proven to be impeccable in the past, that a Player late last week phoned his Manager to make an enquiry about the possibility of him getting a trade out of the Club despite having 2 more years to run

My mail leads me to believe this may be Brayshaw

Given the injury, will have to see how the trade winds blow

Edited by Graeme Yeats' Mullet
Posted
1 hour ago, Tony Tea said:

This has been my worry for several years now. We are never going to win a flag if every time we start to build a list we lose a key player.

Which is why RFAs and UFAs should not be allowed to pick and choose their preferred club.  The AFL should limit the ability of a player to get to say the top 4 finishing clubs from the prior season and say a club that has won a premiership in the last 3 seasons, in order to ensure the lower finishing clubs aren't forever chasing the tale of the most wealthy / successful clubs.  If that means up to seven teams are off the table then so be it.

Of course it won't happen and in fact the reverse is seemingly encouraged under the present arrangement of 'AFL Circus'.

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Posted
11 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

My mail leads me to believe this may be Brayshaw

Given the injury, will have to see how the trade winds blow

This would make more sense.  Gus seems to pick up his bat and ball unless he's played in his preferred position (mid field) much of the time.  Gut feel, and that's all it is, is because if he doesn't get that ideal role most weeks he would rather go home and join bro out west ASAP.

  • Like 1
Posted
13 minutes ago, Graeme Yeats' Mullet said:

My mail leads me to believe this may be Brayshaw

Given the injury, will have to see how the trade winds blow

Now that may make more sense if Viney has in fact extended his contract. 

  • 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  

    THE ACCIDENTAL DEMONS by The Oracle

    In the space of eight days, the Melbourne Football Club’s plans for the coming year were turned upside down by two season-ending injuries to players who were contending strongly for places in its opening round match against the GWS Giants. Shane McAdam was first player to go down with injury when he ruptured an Achilles tendon at Friday afternoon training, a week before the cut-off date for the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (“SSP”). McAdam was beginning to get some real mom

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    PREGAME: Practice Match vs Fremantle

    The Demons hit the road for what will be their first of 8 interstate trips this year when they play their final practice match before the 2025 AFL Premiership Season against the Fremantle Dockers in Perth on Sunday, 2nd March @ 6:10pm (AEDT). 2025 AAMI Community Series Sun Mar 2 Fremantle v Melbourne, Rushton Oval, Mandurah, 3.10pm AWST (6.10pm AEDT)

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 54

    RETURN TO NORMAL by Whispering Jack

    One of my prized possessions is a framed, autographed guernsey bearing the number 31 worn by my childhood hero, Melbourne’s champion six time premiership player Ronald Dale Barassi who passed away on 16 September 2023, aged 87. The former captain who went on to a successful coaching career, mainly with other clubs, came back to the fold in his later years as a staunch Demon supporter who often sat across the way from me in the Northern Stand of the MCG cheering on the team. Barassi died the

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Match Reports

    PODCAST: Match SIM vs North Melbourne

    Join us LIVE on Monday night at 8:30pm—note that this special time is just for this week due to prior commitments. We'll break down the Match SIM against North Melbourne and wrap up the preseason with insights into training and our latest recruits. I apologize for skipping our annual season review show at the end of last season. After a disapponting season filled with off-field antics and a heated trade week, I needed a break. Thankfully, the offseason has recharged me, and I’m back—ready t

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 38

    GAMEDAY: Match SIM vs North Melbourne

    After an agonizingly long off-season the 2025 AFL Premiership Season is almost upon us and the Demons have their first practice hit out against the Kangaroos in a match simulation out at Arden Street. The Demons will take on the Kangaroos in match simulation play, starting from 10am AEDT and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo. The play start time was brought forward from the initial 11am bounce, due to the high temperatures forecast.  The match sim will consist of four 25-minute qu

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 465

    TRAINING: Friday 21st February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers beat the Friday heat to bring you their observations from this morning's Captain's Run out at Gosch's Paddock in the lead up to their first hit out in a Practice Match tomorrow against the Kangaroos. TRAVY14'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS On the park: Trac Spargo Gawn Viney Langdon May Fritsch Salem Henderson Rehab: McVee (updated to include Melk, Kolt, AMW and Kentfield) Spoke to "Gus" the trainer, he said these are the guys no

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 19th February 2025

    Demonlander The Analyser was the sole Trackwatcher out at Casey Fields today to bring you the following observations from this mornings preseason training session. Training  was at Casey today. It consisted of a match simulation for one half  and then a free choice activity time. Activities included kicking for goal,  aerial , contest work etc. I noticed the following players not in match simulation Jack Viney  running laps and looks fine for round one . I think Kolt looks like he’s im

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Monday 17th February 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Monday morning's preseason training at Gosch's Paddock to bring you their brief observations of the session. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Gentle flush session at Gosch's this morning. Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars) McVee, McAdam. Rehabbing: Great to see Kentfield back (much slimmer), walking with Tholstrup, TMac (suspect just a management thing), Viney (still being cautious with that rib cartilage?), Melksham (

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    MATCH SIM: Friday 14th February 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers made their way out to Casey Field's for the Melbourne Football Club's Family Series day to bring you their observations on the Match Simulation. HARVEY WALLBANGER'S MATCH SIMULATION OBSERVATIONS Absent: May, Pickett (All Stars), McVee, Windor, Kentfield, Mentha Present but not playing: Petracca, Viney, Spargo, Tholstrup, Melksham Starting Blue 18 (+ just 2 interchange): B: Petty, TMac, Lever, Howes, Bowey Salem M: Gawn, Oliver, La

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...