Leaderboard

Mark, what are your favourite TV shows?

'I believe in Tom'.

Sheedy has always been good at getting in the paper. This is no different.

I just finished watching it.

You could fit Frawley, Garland, McDonald and Davis in the same backline.

Great, so we can regard Clark's signing as a true swap for Scully.

I for one, have a a bit of a problem reconciling the constant call round here for the players to be harder and more professional in the way they play and prepare, yet when someone goes and does exactly the opposite, it's somehow acceptable or minimised. Toughness isn't about biffing players behind the ball, then boasting about it to your mates over a beer or three.

Anyone with half a brain can win the ball there, but the key is being able to damage the opposition with the ball. If you're just a solid kick and that's it, then you aren't really any benefit to your side. The player needs to be offensively talented enough to damage the opposition. Davis, Yarran, Deledio, Mackie, Murphy/Gilbee, Hodge, Hurn etc. These are very offensively talented players and they are given the ball because they can take the ball through the press better than their team mates. They either have explosive pace or are damaging, heavy kicks. You could play Nathan Jones at half back and he'd get it 30 times a game. But you wouldn't. Blease is offensively talented, and that's why you'd play him at half back. It's plays to his strengths. Thinking the role is 'easy' depends on how you define success. I could play there and get the ball 10 times a game at AFL level. But it would be embarrassingly awful and the side would be pounded. But if Grimes plays there, gets it 20 times and makes a few clangers then everyone calls it a failure. Leon Davis does that in the Grand Final and he has 'vanished'. But Lonergan gets it 6 times in the GF and he's brilliant. How 'easy' the role is depends on how you measure success in each role.

"your Gary Abletts" "your Ron Barassis" "your Wayne Careys" "your Robbie Flowers"etc etc I guess in the case of the first two cases, there were actually two, and they all could play a bit.

Don't ignore me Sloonie <3

Any number greater than 100 when a % symbol is added. For example, player saying "I'm going to give it 110%". Why not 120%? or 1,000%? I'd be happy if each gave 100% for 100% of the time.

Maybe I should move away from the term "HBF" as today the roles are very fluid. There is a role in the backline where a player is tasked to 'mind' the 5th or 6th best forward and provide an avenue out of the backline, and some run and carry through the middle. They don't win the footy but are given it, they don't have a great desire or need to man anyone (indeed teams now play a defensive forward on some of the best of these types of flankers), and they are usually instructed to find space and frontrun. I just feel that any solid kick with half a brain can play the role.

Needs to use the footy better before I'm convinced.

May I ask why you bothered with your first post if your unwilling to actually reveal what you know?

Referring to you? You know I quoted Yoda.. yet your trying to bait me (typical). Yeah I reckon you're referring to me. I wont be alone in my view that you are the most argumentative poster on this site, and your incessant need to have the last word shows how childish you really are. If anyone disagrees with your point of view you will not accept it. For the record I have accounted for myself quite nicely when engaged in discussions with you, but people give up with you when they realise they will not get anywhere- it's like arguing with a 15 year old! Learn to accept other people and their opinions otherwise give up posting on a public forum you arrogant [censored]. I feel so sorry for your wife if you have one!

THE LOW RENT PUB by Whispering Jack In the old days, long before the draft and salary caps, club recruiters would travel the length and breadth of the land trying to find players to enhance their club lists. Often they would have to use their wits to beat opponents to their man. Legendary club secretary Jim Cardwell mastered the recruiting art at Melbourne in the early 1950s when he skillfully assembled the side that was to win six premierships in the decade 1955-1964. In later years he maintained that much of his success depended on perseverance and sheer determination never to give in when chasing his targeted player. Until last week it was thought the Cardwell spirit had long departed the Melbourne Football Club. Others with a more professional approach and more money to spend took away Jim's mantle as the prince of recruiters and it was left to other clubs to score the major recruiting coups. More recently, those with the patronage of wealthy entrepreneurs or the power of the AFL bolstering new franchises prevailed when it came to snaring the prize signings of the competition. Things changed on the Wednesday of trade week when the Demons moved in cloak and dagger style to wrest Brisbane Lion ruckman/forward Mitch Clark away from his intended club Fremantle. The story was told this morning on radio station SEN by new Demons' coach Mark Neeld. The Melbourne recruiters were discussing how the Lions and the Dockers were unable to do a deal on Clark and a decision was made to go after him. Thanks to some of Chris Connolly's contacts, Clark's management was contacted and permission obtained from Brisbane to speak with their player. Following an initial telephone conversation it was decided to pursue him. Neeld, his new assistant coach Jade Rawlings and club CEO Cameron Schwab were off to Brisbane in hunt of their quarry on the 8 o'clock flight. When they arrived, there was no accommodation to be found and the trio settled on a shabby one roomer in a low rent pub near the airport. Here they were - a high power AFL club delegation of three trying to recruit a power forward. It was the Belgian Beer Festival and Schwab's personal assistant could find only room at $91.00 for the night in horrendous conditions. "When we got up in the morning we thought we can't meet Mitch Clark in this place so we got up and Jade Rawlings got us to the Stamford Plaza, we walked into the buffet breakfast and got a little room to the side. We acted as if we stayed there and no-one asked any questions," said Neeld. They met Mitch and his partner at the swank Stamford where they had the run of the place from 8 o'clock until well into the afternoon even using offices and going off at one stage to buy new clothes. The group finally left the Stamford at 3.30pm when they felt they had overstayed their welcome, finished up at the Marriott and caught up with Mitch again. At this stage they thought they were a real chance. The deputation met Clark again the following day and at one stage Fremantle's Chris Bond interrupted their meeting. They met their man again before returning to Melbourne on the Friday night feeling they were still in the running. It should be pointed out that by the Saturday morning, the football world believed that Clark was off to Dockerland having repeated his preference to return to his home town Perth. However, Melbourne persevered through phone contact with Mitch and then "at 10 o'clock, he said 'OK you won't leave me alone. You've persisted, you've done this and that, I'll come and play for you,'". Neeld says the result in the end was worth the effort. When he came to the club and went through the list, clearly a power forward was one of the gaps. "Mitch fitted the bill, his age (24) was critical and ... we're going to have him for that period of his career ... we did what we believe every Melbourne supporter would have wanted us to do." Neeld believes that Clark's presence will help the way the club is going to move the ball in the forward and there will be a ripple effect in that it will help the other forwards like Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah with the roles they will have to play and with the opponents who will have to go to them. "There are a whole range of options that we didn't have a week ago." Melbourne takes on the Brisbane Lions in round one next year at the MCG. For their return match, I suspect those extra options won't extend to the team's accommodation near the airport.

Now that it's our second date, could I get a kiss?

Jihad Stadium - not funny, just shows the poster to be an ignorant [censored].

This reasoning would mean that you can never be suspended from a game because it affects your team. He let down his club and his teammates and he will be reminded of that fact on the Thursday before the Brisbane game when he is selected for Casey. The MFC isn't punishing the team, Colin Sylvia is.

I suppose the lack of comment on Kelvin is because few have seen him play. I've seen him on 4 or 5 occasions and saw quite a bit of promise. He apparently had trouble settling in Victoria when he moved here and struggled a bit with injury midseason but he came back and played Casey seniors towards the end of the season and impressed with his speed, tackling and at times freakish skills. He's a keeper for mine for 2012 and has the potential to fill a hole in our list. He is a Betts/Garlett type player and will most likely need a bit of time. If he makes it he will generate quite a bit of excitement.

I had no idea he had another contract, but to those who think it is pointless to be given another year - why recruit anyone 197cm tall then? If you give up after two years what's the bloody point of picking him up? Talls take time. I think if you pick up a kid over 195cm tall you are tacitly saying to all involved - this guy is here (in some fashion) until he is 22 unless he is a massive d!ck or has a terrible run with injuries.

Already agreed to be a rookie next year to give us flexibility. Will be elevated at the end of 2012 officially and elevated temporarily during 2012. Now here is an investment I am all for being a HBF. Rookie selection with pace and a great kick. Put him there and Blease in the middle.

AHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA... Etc... Australia's least credible professional sports organisation.

It's interesting to note that when he threatens that they'll be looking at other clubs uncontracted players to poach, their history this year suggests that the main club that should be afraid is their older sibling, Gold Coast. They will have half their young talented list coming out of their first 2 year contracts and seeing as GWS are willing to spend massive overs on kids with potential, I'd put money on GWS having a massive crack at some of the Suns young talent. Luckily for us, the pain of expansion is over.

Yes, presumably that's why they hired him.

I can't find any confirmation online, but you have my stamp of honour that he's contracted.

Glad I didn't say Dancing Queen. Should I have said ACDC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap or It's a Long Way To The Top if You Want To Rock And Roll.

Agree Except that the next year Johnson lost his license for driving 80 km/hr over the speed limit. But he wasn't drunk - so I guess you could say that the punishment for drinking worked. This is creative and could actually be effective. Give him 50 for 2012 with the leadership team to review whether he has earnt his number 12 back for 2013.

It's BECAUSE it's 4 months away that it's going to hurt that much more. He has to carry it for the whole pre-season - and during that period, isn't going to forget it for a single day. Penalty matches the crime - though a period training away from the players could have been thrown in for good measure. He's had his chances. Pretty devastating to see IMHO, especially with the new regime, and Beamer's call to him at the Bluey presentation.

For some reason I'm on an ABBA kick right now. Do I need professional help?

So went to dinner and did have the pleasure of speaking to Mark. Got quite a few questions answered. I must say that after speaking with him there is no doubt the club is in GREAT hands. Those piecing blue eyes could kill someone on the spot! So a few answers to questions out there. 1. Perception the club is under resourced/behind with facilities. He and Neil Craig believe when compared to Collingwood and Crows Melbourne have the same if not BETTER facilities than these clubs. The club is also more resourced with people than the other two clubs mentioned. More that our people have not had role clarity and have not been working efficiently. Told the players stop thinking facilities are any excuse - big change in culture and mindset. Restructured staff - right people in the right places. They must become more efficient. 2. Mitch Clarke offer never changed from the time it was pitched to the second pitch in Brisbane. That was media make up. The amounts reported are also overstated. 3. He said numerous times - 'I only get one shot at this.' Thats why I got Mitch Clarke, thats why we are getting the best people to the club. I want to win. You get the impression this guy will stop at nothing to ensure success. 4. Clubs volume of training was HALF of what Collingwood, Adelaide and Stkilda do. Players are no where near ready to play how he wants them to play next year and reality is this will be a stepped approach to get them to where they need to be physically to play AFL. They wont be playing his game plan exactly how he wants it next year as they currently are so far off physical requirements. 5. Matthew Bate - We will need soldiers next year as most players are not ready for AFL football. He is a required player who has the potential. 6. Its a new leaf for every player at the club and they will need to show him leadership via actions during preseason, The leaders will automatically show out and he will be selecting the leadership group. ALL players will be starting from scratch he has an open mind. 7. Thinks alot of Trengove and Frawley when I posed as leaders. 8. He has had 2 days off in his first 5-6 weeks. He has been home only 4 times during that time. He is working over time to get systems and processes and structures fixed. He acknowledged so he should be - 'its what Melbourne supporters want me to do' And again 'I only get one shot at this.' 9. Didnt want to be drawn on Scully. Never had him so doesnt make any difference to Mark. 10. Colin needs to learn you represent the MFC even when you play for Aust. Drinking night before any training is not acceptable. 11. If a solid experienced player is available at pick 36 he will consider to add body strength to the playing group. 12. Melbourne couldnt get in the door for Caddy as Essendon took up the last day with mediation. 13. Views on particular players - he said we will find out Monday at training. 'I have an open mind until I see them on the track.' Reserves all judgement until then. 14. Still waiting til Monday to see if Aussie comes back from holiday to see what next steps are. Words to describe: Genuine, down to earth, confident, strong, steely, balanced and knows very clearly what he wants from himself and everyone around him. The boys ARE in for it on Monday! Go Dees!

"Who is your favourite poster on Demonland?"

There you go, do some of your own research for once. http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=700&SeasonID=ALL&Sort=Rating Desc I like how you ignored the rest of my post...

relay memo to Tappy !!

Unfortunately we know the outcome of 'some' sling tackles. I'll settle for a legitimate bone-jarring-crunch that dishes out a red vest early in the game.

Perhaps the crowd number might be enough to fill a marquee?

Does that mean we shouldn't invest in any more non-indigenous players?? I could mount a case to say they have been equally if not more inconsistent than the indigenous players. How about we pick the best players we can irrespective of their background and back our systems to make them the best they can be.