13 minutes ago, The Taciturn Demon said:

This is going to sound negative. I don't mean it to be. I saw the video of Taylor and Lamb talking about Henderson with Goodwin and others and their comments were glowing. Now, I know a club isn't going to release footage of football department members bagging newly recruited players, but I'm still intrigued:

What's the knock on him? Why isn't a player considered to have outstanding ball-handling skills, an ability to kick goals (from long-range as well as close to goal) and excellent movement and fitness not already on a list?

These 1000’s of AFL hopefuls trying to get on an AFL list. Players from all over Aust ..even overseas. There will be plenty of players that  don’t get picked up for a variety of reasons just as there’s plenty who get picked up & for a variety of reasons don’t make it. Jack has an opportunity albeit through the misfortune of Shane & hopefully he does well. I think he’s lucky he’s come into a team with a pretty good list in the Premiership window ..he’s got his chance & good on him. I hope he does well ..to make us better & to fulfil his dreams. 

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

 

I'll demand training reports when I see fit to demand them punk. 

 

 

 

How to beat the auto censor 😄

And you can't say [censored]. 

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by ManDee
Insert whatever minor swear word you like.

On 18/02/2025 at 22:49, Sideshow Bob said:

Went to primary school with the kid that played Brains (kid in the red shirt for all you non gen Xers)- being a short Henderson.... Brains sounds perfect 👌 for our new one

Not a patch on the Pissweak Kids and Charlie the Wonder Dog, Bob. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAax9nJPEb8

 

 

 

There's a bit of Steven Stretch about Hendo.

On the Dees app, Henderson is listed at number 43 👍🏼

23 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

There's a bit of Steven Stretch about Hendo.

"Hendo marks!" doesn't quite have the same ring to it, though.

21 hours ago, Demonland said:

 

Very pleased that the Demons media department did a brief interview with Jack Henderson so promptly.

Excellent work by them! 😎👍🏻

On 21/02/2025 at 22:18, Wizard of Koz said:

There's a bit of Steven Stretch about Hendo.

I think you a stretching the comparison a little 

On 18/02/2025 at 20:48, dazzledavey36 said:

MFC journo's are asleep on the wheel..

As they have been for the last couple of years Daz! Pathethic that a professional sports club is so poor in this area!

57 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

I think you a stretching the comparison a little 

He looks more like Ricky Jackson!

7 hours ago, picket fence said:

He looks more like Ricky Jackson!

Golly, if he proves half as useful as RJ then we are on a winner.

8 hours ago, Dee Boys said:

Go Hendo welcome 💙❤️

10 hours ago, Dee Boys said:

An excellent article pumping of Jack Henderson. Love it! ❤️💙

Looking forward to seeing "Hendo" get a run against Fremantle this coming weekend.

7 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

An excellent article pumping of Jack Henderson. Love it! ❤️💙

Looking forward to seeing "Hendo" get a run against Fremantle this coming weekend.

"JH: I won't die woundering, I can assure you of that."

 

Great attitude from this bloke.  I feel that if there were questions about our culture, having guys like this around the place helps reinforce good culture.  Had been suggested he's been earmarked for the ANB role - possibly in attitude as well.

I WON’T DIE WONDERING with John Anderson 

From a rice farm in the Southern Riverina, Jack Henderson is a poster boy for what character, persistence and ultimately performance can achieve in the AFL. 

Henderson, 24, voted best afield in Werribee’s 2024 VFL grand final win, this week was added to Melbourne’s list via the supplemental selection period after being overlooked in eight-straight drafts. 

JA: The last time we spoke was in December and it’s fair to say you were flat about your AFL dream. 

JH: I was. My manager Winston Rous suggested I do extra work with a high-performance person in Geelong. That helped me and then Dom Sheed at West Coast went down for the season and then Shane McAdam got injured at Melbourne. 

JA: How did it play out.

JH: I was at work (as an agronomist) two weeks ago when I got a call from West Coast and flew over a day later. It was such an experience. I trained all week and then played in the practice match against Richmond last Monday as a midfielder. Then I came off the field and shortly later spoke with Simon Goodwin. 

JA: Which led to a tough decision?

JH: The hardest I have ever had to make. West Coast were brilliant to me, but I would be lying if I said the lure of being in Victoria wasn’t strong. I want to settle as quickly as possible to play my best footy and Melbourne have had a lot of faith in me. 

JA: Is midfield the aim with Melbourne, or high half-forward with Alex Neal-Bullen gone?

JH: I trained and played in the midfield at West Coast, whereas with Melbourne it is probably high half-forward.

JA: Explain the frustration at being overlooked in eight-straight drafts?

JH: There were times last year when I thought there were guys going to AFL sides who I could match it with. It just kept that fire burning in me. 

JA: Tell us about your journey, Jack?

JH: I boarded at The Geelong College, finishing in 2017 and missed that year’s draft before joining Werribee. I only did testing with Fremantle that year, but had no discussions with them so no real chance, and the same for the next two years. 

JA: Then you travelled to the Double Blues in the SANFL?

JH: In the Covid year of 2020 I made the move to Sturt for nine games and got a bit of interest from GWS, but nothing major. In 2021 nothing. Same in 2022-23, and last year it picked up a little after the grand final. 

JA: You actually had a medical with Melbourne?

JH: That’s when things started to get close, but the Demons only had a few selections and I missed again. That wasn’t a great time but they kept in touch with me. And Werribee coaches as in Mark “Choco” Williams and Mick Barlow have been sensational for me. 

JA: I can’t think of anyone who deserves their chance more than you Jack, so go get ’em.

JH: I won’t die wondering, Ando, I can assure you of that.

 

Love the article that warms the cockles 

I enjoyed his first game, a real bulldog and think he’s exactly what we need for a pressure forward.

If Fritsch can’t get back into form I can see a world where we go the three talls and then have Sparrow, Pickett, Henderson, Chandler, Sharp and Trac all playing as the small/mediums around them.

Fritsch is our most natural forward and goalkicker, but if he isn’t kicking goals then he becomes less useful. The alternative then is to go with a group of high pressure forwards who can lock the ball in the forward line.

Edited March 20, 2025Mar 20 by DistrACTION Jackson

Reminds me a bit of James Harmes when he used to wear #43 back in the day.

His VFL highlights show that he's a capable goal kicker, so if he can get into some goal kicking opportunities he could be an asset. 

A big fillip for VFL. 

Don't tell anyone

I think everyone underestimates just the complete lack of preparation he's had leading into to round 1 and to still not look out of place against a genuine top 4 side is impressive enough as it is.

Whilst everyone was fumbling in the wet conditions, he looked pretty clean and certainly showed good agility and evasiveness around the packs.

Will only get better.