Big thanks to Ghostwriter, Kev Martin (great report) and all posters and special comments. Sounds like the team are in great spirits. Go Dees.

24 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

An in depth analysis of the lost opportunity on the possible 2024 trade of Oliver to Geelong by Jake Niall has just been dropped by the Age

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-multimillion-dollar-decision-how-demons-missed-the-boat-on-oliver-20250501-p5lvrx.html

Co-incidence or did they want Oliver to avoid the media.

The article is mainly about dollars and doesn't really contain much we have not always known

One source close to the discussions reckoned 75 per cent was where it might have landed, not counting Oliver’s potential pay cut. Geelong’s position was that they would stump up a certain amount – let’s say $850,000 – and it would be left to the Demons, Clayton and his management, to work out the remains (how much he gave up, how much money Melbourne picked up).

If so, the Demons could have saved close to a million dollars per year, with the caveat that they would not gain much draft-wise.

What a stupid article. What is the point of further examining a trade that didn’t eventuate.

Maybe it’s another Geelong attempt to create some disharmony within the club and pick up a bargain in Oliver.

6 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

JUH says thanks Oliver. Watch the vultures feed on this.

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Glad the staff are not giving out potentially personal information about where players are. Could be a funeral, a day off as agreed with the club, or a thousand other things

Except they absolutely do give out personal information about where players are; funerals, pre-planned days off, or a thousand other things.

How does Tom get all this info about the club? Like Trac’s post game speech, I hope he is wrong!!!

4 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

JUH says thanks Oliver. Watch the vultures feed on this.

yes exactly no one will say a word about that f wit and all the media will be all over us clarry ffs not the time for this

25 minutes ago, Nietaphart said:

How does Tom get all this info about the club? Like Trac’s post game speech, I hope he is wrong!!!

I’d say the club has given this info to him voluntarily - not exactly earth shattering 2 hours before it’s official. Also allows the the club to control the narrative.

36 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Except they absolutely do give out personal information about where players are; funerals, pre-planned days off, or a thousand other things.

bit strange. if I was a player i’d prefer that information stay private but each to their own

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1769967/oliver-to-miss-eagles-clash

Here’s the release from the Dees about Oliver.

Let’s see how the midfield functions on Saturday. Rivers in the guts

4 Quarters of hard running Demons

5 hours ago, gs77 said:

Sadly being a public park, when we're not on it people get out there practising their golf swings, let their dogs tear it up, etc.

That would explain Chappy's "slippery" comment then...

Edited May 1, 2025May 1 by Demon Dynasty

36 minutes ago, GS_1905 said:

I’d say the club has given this info to him voluntarily - not exactly earth shattering 2 hours before it’s official. Also allows the the club to control the narrative.

More like Ghosty gave it to him involuntarily!

4 hours ago, Redleg said:

I am still pretty upbeat about this kid.

Really looking forward to seeing him after a full pre season and the rest of this one developing at Casey.

He might be our next smokie along with Sesto.

the way he played off half back at casey was really impressive. He's very mobile for a big guy

1 hour ago, GS_1905 said:

What a stupid article. What is the point of further examining a trade that didn’t eventuate.

Maybe it’s another Geelong attempt to create some disharmony within the club and pick up a bargain in Oliver.

Completely agree. It is an article designed to upset everyone. I am super glad he stayed and I relish the chance for him to show the world how much he is worth and is valued.

2 hours ago, jaydenh10 said:

yes exactly no one will say a word about that f wit and all the media will be all over us clarry ffs not the time for this

I was just messaging with a friend of mine (not a Melbourne supporter) and said the same thing. It drives me crazy.

RE: Condition of Gosch's Paddock

"Chappy says they prefer having the main session at Casey. I said yeah because it’s a closed session right? He said no it’s because the surface here is sch!tt. Doesn’t mince words does our Chappy." Quote of Ghostwriter.

The surface is looking good. The ground staff are doing plenty of work. In the past, they wouldn't fill the scuff marks, they now regularly fill the divots with sand. Possibly, the club has asked them to work on it. The second type of grass has now grown well (ground staff told me that the new surface has two grass types in it), creating a much more spongy surface. I had a run on it the other day and there is plenty of give in it. I rarely see dog droppings on it, though plenty of dogs run around on it off leash, since there is the fence.

In the past the club has usually had there main sessions out at Casey during the H&A season.

If they don't like to use public ovals, why would we entertain Caulfield racecourse as our facilities.

The autumn leaves have been dropping recently, the ground staff have a machine that blows them into areas and a machine that sweeps them up. Clear of leaves today.

They spent preseason running around on the Paddock.

I would suggest that Casey fields is best for privacy of game plan, especially from the media and opposition.

I think Chaplin is throwing fugazi around.

Edited May 1, 2025May 1 by Kev

10 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Apparently Sandringham also have a bye this weekend so there’s a scratch match between them and Casey at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Hnmm interesting does anyone know the time, I may be able to sneak down and report!😇

2 hours ago, Demon Dynasty said:

That would explain Chappy's "slippery" comment then...

Free fertiliser

5 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Free fertiliser

Stickier than filling the divot with sand that's for sure

11 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Apparently Sandringham also have a bye this weekend so there’s a scratch match between them and Casey at Casey Fields on Saturday.

are they playing two games this weekend or are we playing someone else? :

A win for St Kilda.

Laura Kane has approved under exceptional circumstances that Alix Tauru’s four-match VFL ban can start this weekend with Sandringham’s practice match against the Tassie rep team.

Will be available AFL R12 / VFL R10

@7NewsMelbourne.

also f this, kossi’s ban didn’t include the freo and north game so why does this?????

9 minutes ago, jaydenh10 said:

are they playing two games this weekend or are we playing someone else? :

A win for St Kilda.

Laura Kane has approved under exceptional circumstances that Alix Tauru’s four-match VFL ban can start this weekend with Sandringham’s practice match against the Tassie rep team.

Will be available AFL R12 / VFL R10

@7NewsMelbourne.

also f this, kossi’s ban didn’t include the freo and north game so why does this?????

I don’t know. I was just told that because Sandringham and Casey both have byes this weekend they’ve organised a scratch match which will be played at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Agree with the unfairness of Kozzie’s two praccies not being counted in his suspension.

PS Laura Kane’s appointment is one of the worst decisions made by the AFL ever.

6 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

What a stupid article. What is the point of further examining a trade that didn’t eventuate.

Maybe it’s another Geelong attempt to create some disharmony within the club and pick up a bargain in Oliver.

What a garbage article.

Geel get to pay Oliver 850k. Good for them.

While we’d “save” 1m by not having him?

What kind of stupidity would that trade be?

11 hours ago, jaydenh10 said:

are they playing two games this weekend or are we playing someone else? :

A win for St Kilda.

Laura Kane has approved under exceptional circumstances that Alix Tauru’s four-match VFL ban can start this weekend with Sandringham’s practice match against the Tassie rep team.

Will be available AFL R12 / VFL R10

@7NewsMelbourne.

also f this, kossi’s ban didn’t include the freo and north game so why does this?????

This is a very sensible decision by Laura Kane and is very different circumstances to Kozzy. Open your other eye.

13 hours ago, jaydenh10 said:

are they playing two games this weekend or are we playing someone else? :

A win for St Kilda.

Laura Kane has approved under exceptional circumstances that Alix Tauru’s four-match VFL ban can start this weekend with Sandringham’s practice match against the Tassie rep team.

Will be available AFL R12 / VFL R10

@7NewsMelbourne.

also f this, kossi’s ban didn’t include the freo and north game so why does this?????

Maybe we are also representing Tassie this weekend as well?

They might be trying to get it to count as two games?