Leaderboard

Because under the AFL rules, GWS doesn't need to get permission for anything.

I believe it originates from the old Saxon "Clusterbuck" when many families would be housed in a single dwelling. One of the first changes was when the "f" was written as "b" in the Doomsday book.

Well football is just another money making product now and the AFL is a corporation. Collingwood would be considered a premium product generating vast revenue. GWS is new product targeted to capture a large slice of the untapped market. We are just a boutique product for a static niche market. Easy to see where the priorities lie. As Vlad's dictatorship continues the games is becoming less and less a sport but rather a circus like Pro Wresting ad F1 racing. Vlad is is just another Vince McMahon or Bernie Ecclestone. While the money keeps coming in vast quantities no one is going to hold him accountable for whatever he does. And Thomas suggests it appears that personal connections played some part in this wheeling and dealing. Eddie may have influence over Grubby and the Bombers with Sheedy. Thats been a problem for us for a long time. Much too passive with no one advocating strongly for our interests within or outside the club.

If you really want a conspiracy theory then there is evidence that HWFUA was secretly planned from birth to be a GWS player. It seems his parents even timed his birth to ensure he would end up being a Giants player. It is no coincidence that his birthdate of 15.5.1991 (15+5+1991= 2011=4) sums to the exact numeric value as do the initials GWS ( 7+23+19=49=13=4). This family has been planning this for a very long time. Shoddy, Grubby and Dimwit were just pawns in a bigger conspiracy.

Those who say we should move on should be aware of the distinction between the need for our club to move on from the Scully scandal and the position of individual supporters. I believe the club moved on from this immediately after the post Scully press conference which happened on the day of the defection. I also think the club did it brilliantly and with class and in direct contrast to the shameful way GWS, the AFL and Demetriou have handled themselves in the aftermath. That our club has distanced itself from the farce and so capably managed its coaching appointments, the trade week and even the draft is an incredible result in view of the disarray that was evident in July and August. As for we supporters, given all that's transpired, surely nobody can stand in the way of us died-in-the-wool fans lapping it up as we watch the embarrassment of a shonky bunch of as they sink further and further in the mire? And this ain't over yet.

He was cementing a spot, or atleast settling in, playing his best football so far. Never set the world of fire. but was improving

That is amazing. I admit, I thought his career was over the moment he broke his leg.

This comment by Demetriou once again gets to the heart of the problem of GWS and to a lesser extent Gold Coast. The ADMINISTRATOR of the competition is so compromised in their aim to ensure success for these two teams that they are openly willing to disadvantage the existing clubs in order to achieve their goal. They know that the Vic, WA & SA fans are so loyal to their clubs and the game that there is no risk in disenfranchising the heartland supporters for a decade or so in their reach for new markets and money. GWS & GC are not mere football clubs or franchises, they are new PRODUCTS created by the AFL to break into a market they previously could not penetrate.

Davis definitely has some size about him. A fair bit bigger (bulk-wise) than Tom McDonald. Whilst he may have had a set-back with a broken leg, James Strauss has definitely put on some serious muscle, without getting fat either. Said he was aiming for a return in round 2 of the NAB cup. As for those who say Max Gawn is a man-mountain, please.........Sure he is tall, but he has got a long way to go to get anywhere near Stef Martin's muscle size. Still gangly and previous training reports, imo, have been very generous in size gained. Funniest thing i saw from today was Jack Fitzpatrick's running style. When running, he moves his neck like a racehorse does at full speed (stretches it out). Of the front-runners, Bate was very willing to continue with the 200/300m repetitive runs, and was starting to really show his endurance and easily outpaced Couch in the last few runs. Nicho was always ahead of Jones, but he wasn't too far behind, pacing off the back of him. The repeat runs are definitely not one of Jared Rivers' strong suits. Morton, Jordie and Bartram really earned their money today, walking about 8 laps before going back indoors early.

Got back from training today surprised. I was surprised at the work rate and the amount of work done in the 2 and a half hours they were out there. I was sitting on the park bench on the far side of the oval for anyone interested. The boys started with some stretching then went into some light running and then they split. The main group did what looked like repeat 400m sprints, very tough, while the rehab group did ball handling drills, quick handballing and short kicking. The rehab group then split and Ricky Petterd and Neville Jetta did 20m sprints being timed by one of the assistants, nice bloke as well, Petterd kept getting 3.9's and Jetta gradually building to PB of 3.8. Bail was running up and down where the pair were sprinting. James Strauss and Rohan Bail did laps, whilst Liam Jurrah did 1/2 pace laps with a trainer again and somehow looked dead after. He and Jack Grimes had a small kick to kick afterwards. Michael Evans did solitary work today, mainly turning then kicking and pushing off oponnents for space, leading and marking. His kicking is below par by a mile, missed many targets on preferred foot too. On the far side of the ground the main group were doing something else, someone else can fill you in on it. Strauss looks good btw, running freely but his laps were slow pace. Aaron Davey and Mitch Clark then joined the main group for what seemed like set play and transition scenarios. A very weak form of a press was formed, still needs a lot of work, plenty of time to do so which is good. The main group was split up and put into 2 teams. One of the training add ons was always getting the ball, can't remember the name. Josh Tynan has good positioning but poor, very poor kicking skills, misses lot of targets and his kicks have little power on them, needs to change his ball drop. It looked like they did three set plays and then went off into their groups. Forwards, mids and rucks combined for a stoppage drill where the mids broke and streamed into the 50. Tom Couch looks like a clearance specialist, kept getting the ball from the bottom of the packs. And that was that, a warm down stretch and off they went. Players who were absent or did very little, Mckenzie, Bartram, Morton, Cook, Tapscott, Jamar, Jurrah, Grimes, Bail, any others?? On a side note I think that this year we will definitely be fit but it will be a question of how well we can stick to a gameplan. A lot of people's skills were below par yet understandable. Lastly, one thing that really disappointed me was Sam Blease's attitude. Petterd on the sidelines told him to give it a crack because in the transition drill he was lazy on the lead and was at less than half pace, then in later drills had his head down. Disappointing, needs to change this. And that was pretty much it. Any questions I'm willing to answer

His family was known for hoarding large amounts of male deer. Edit: or cash

why do you wonder two-dogs?

There's a professional NHL player by the name of Cal Clutterbuck. I definitely don't think there's room for two Clutterbucks in pro sports, that's for sure. Otherwise we'd be cluttered with Clutterbucks.

If the MFC are being held accountable for tanking games i can understand that. I was always very uneasy on the concept but because of our perilous list situation i could see why it had to be done. But WHY are Carlscum not under the same scrutiny? Why was Judd allowed a 3rd party deal but the MFC was not?

I am following exactly what you are saying I only commented (whimsically) that you didn't answer the question but rather your implication of the question (that implication probably correct) Jim said the rules (AFL) encourage young players to lie, but he didn't say that meant HWFUA was lying nor IMO did he imply it......but he left the door open enough to say that it was a possibility. I suspect the club deep down had concerns that he may be already committed to GWS but no hard and fast facts, therefore they played it the way they did

Freddie Clutterbuck? On that name alone, he will not get anywhere in professional sports... Really sorry kid. Steele Sidebottom broke the glass ceiling but Freddie Clutterbuck is a bridge too far...

Freddie has permission to train with us.

Bites hand Bites hand again

Can we please stop infering how fortunate enough we are to have 'good depth'? The internet is visibly cringing.

Yeah, get all that but LJ hasn't pulled his finger out but can still kick 40 goals in the AFL... That's more than 'showing glimpses.'

If somebody could take a few photos of training and put them up here at Demonland it would be greatly appreciated!

It's November ffs. Struggling at training in November does not equal missing a spot in the side. There's absolutely no way on Earth that Watts will not be in our best side this year - especially when you've got Petterd in your side. I like Ricky but the suggestion that he's better than Watts is laughable.

Here is mine... although, I'm sure I would have missed someone: B: Bail - Frawley - Garland HB: Tapscott - Rivers - Blease C: Sylvia - Trengove - Gysberts HF: Howe - Watts - Jurrah F: Green - Clark - Davey R: Jamar - Moloney - McKenzie Int: Martin - Grimes - Jones Sub: Petterd I will reserve judgement on a 'rejuvenated' Bate, Morton, and Sellar until I see them in a game... although they could all slip into my best 22.

C'mon Barry P. and co, get on the blower to the managers of these top 10 GWS picks - nearly all of whom were from Victoria - and let them know we're interested in all of them. Might be hot air, might not be. At the very least it'll sow some seeds of doubt in the minds of these kids and get them thinking that there are better prospects for them elsewhere at the end of their first contract. Who knows who we might shake from the tree after the disenchantment of two years worth of thrashings. GW$ is now fair game on every front.

I too was at the training session on Friday morning. I've been away for the weekend, so sorry for the late report. A few observations: I arrived at about 9.50 so missed the first part. When i got there, the main group was playing a practice match basically rehearsing movement out of defence, and defensive pressure in the backline. They played Stef Martin at centre half forward, and seemed to deliberately kick to him into a high marking contest. He was outstanding in his overhead marking, better than i have ever seen him. Maybe an omen of things to come. Others to stand out were Jones (who is one of the hardest trainers i have ever seen), Nicholson (always runs at full pace, and is hard at the ball), Jamar (well he was merely being Jamar), and big Max Gawn. Tom macdonald was also being played up forward and is developing into a very skilled and quick big man. He is a find.When i was walking towards the ground, some distance away i said to my friend "who the hell is that man mountain?". It was of course big Max Gawn. He has bulked out a good deal, but is still a hard runner, and i think his marking is now mare reliable. Others to impress were Bate (looks much fitter and faster, also a hard trainer these days), Jack Trengove (what we have come to expect) and the affore mention TMacD. While this was going on, there was individual training going on, some in groups, others individual. Petterd, Grimes, Jetta, Mitch Clark and Lawrence were all doing laps individually, as well as 100m interval training. The interesting one was Liam Jurrah who all through the training session was doing interval laps accompanied by one of the training staff. I have to admit he looks as though he was struggling, not because i believe he is injured, merely less fit than maybe he should be. When they ran past, which was often, you could hear the trainer continually pushing him to go harder, most of the time though he was behind the trainer. I must say this is probably the first full-on pre-season for Liam at Melbourne. If the club persists with this personal attention for him, and gets him really really fit - well who knows what will happen. It is very exciting. After the match practice, the main group did handball drills, tackling practice and other set pieces. Mitch Clark, Jack Trengove and i think Lawrence were doing kicking and leading practice in the forward line. At the the end of the session, the main group did what looked like 5 minute time trails in groups of five or six. The stand outs were Maloney, Jones, Dunn, Nicholson, and very pleasingly Brad Green. I was very impressed with his commitment. For effort Matt Bate as well. Apart from the main running groups, Gawn, Jamar and Fitzpatrick did laps as a group of three. All were very impressive for their efforts, but when it came time to sprint to the line, the big Russian was the one. Maxy Gawn though is amazingly agile for such a big man. There were however, some serious concerns. Jack watts, who is supposed to be in the two or three best runners at the club, came last in his group of six led by Maloney, but not a close last, in the two and a half laps he was up to 50m behind the leader Maloney, not once but on about four occasions. He doesn't look fit, barely touched the ball in the practice match. Presumably if he was injured he would not have been in the main group. Now in his third season, you would expect of such an outstanding athlete to see some elite behaviour and leadership by now. It must be concerning the club. If he trained half as hard as Jones, he would be another Wayne Carey. There is no sign of it yet, at least from what i saw on Friday. Others from whom i expected more were Bleeze, Gysberts and I did not see Aaron Davey, or Jeremy Howe at all, and Stef Martin left after the practice match (perhaps to go to uni exams which are currently on)

As a paid up member, and i suspect the majority of us on here are, i have no problem discussing the $cully situation until all the grotty facts cme to the surface. I applaud Caro for the article, and i certainly have never been her greatest fan in the past. 15 other clubs could have been shafted in 2011...but they weren't. The MFC was done. If we "had" to stay quiet all year in order to recieve our "Gift" from the AFL, well that is deplorable. I don't think CS would speak on the radio as he did mid year if he knew all the facts, but maybe he had to. What did McChins actually know back in march this year? More than you and i. I want this Putrid saga to be all out in the open, yes the club will move on,but we can still keep questioning this one. The AFL CEO has over stepped big time and we have a right to know all.

1989 draft is my favourite (http://demonwiki.org/1989+Draft) Traded in Steven Clark (21 games), Trevor Spencer (3) and Michael Scott (0) then drafted.. 25 - Paul Rouvray (0) 57 - Tim Moreland (0) 71 - Glenn Wilkins (0) 85 - Anthony Tohill (0) A low day for early era drafting

The ol' likely certainties.

It's pathetic, Demetriou saying on Friday that it was a 'stroke of genius' was just the most disgusting piece of shyte thats ever come out of that toerag's mouth and that's saying something considering the sewerage he usually spills out.

I think it could be... FB: Garland - Frawley - Nicholson HB: Grimes - Rivers - Blease C: Bail - Moloney - Trengove HF: Petterd - Watts - Howe FF: Green - Clark - Jurrah R: Jamar - Jones - Sylvia I: Davey - Martin - McKenzie S: Morton E: Bartram - Bennell - Gawn

I don't think there's any merit in the theory that Demetriou think he "owes us" and targeted us for having to publicly defend us in allegations against tanking. But I do believe it removed any real desire to defend us against having Scully taken by GWS (possibly because he knew GWS had already set their strategy on poaching him before it occurred to us he may be a target, or even before he was on the list), or to give us any equitable compensation. Whether reasonable or not, I think he adopted an attitude of "you made your bed, now lie in it." In any case, I don't really care. I think there's every chance the players we get with compo picks could outweigh what we've lost. Especially if we can trade them to GWS for a kid like Jack Martin. Any puerile desire to prevent GWS from ending up with the picks doesn't interest me one iota - it's all about the best net result for MFC and MFC alone.

FCS people - Neeld has said Sellar is expected to challenge for the team, he is not assured of a spot. What would he say about a 22 year old just drafted by the club?

Those who are sick of the Scully Saga and wish it to go away should think again. Thats what GWS, the Scully's and Vlad want desperately. The longer the story goes more of the truth gets drip fed and the more embarrassing it becomes for them. Recent loose comments by Tom and the extraordinary outburst by Vlad indicate they are under pressure and maybe not in full control. It must be hard for Vlad being used to arrogantly sweeping success before him having to constantly fend off scandal at his pet club. I hope he is coming to the realisation he may have made a horrible mistake in rolling out GWS, anointing the ridiculous sum of money frittered away on the Scully deal and the loss of goodwill and trust for the AFL. I would not be surprised if he is under pressure within the AFL also. I want to see this saga continue till the full truth gets out. There is more to come. And if it drives the Scully's and Vlad crazy then all the better. There is a lot of payback outstanding. And it's still a long way before real footy starts again.

I'd still give him a go- we nurtured Newton for 7 years, we supported Wonna for 2, we have had LJ unfit for 3 years now, and I believe he is worth a punt.As a rookie, we only have to have him for a year, if he doesn't make it. I thick he is worth the punt,although WJ seems to have gone off him.See you Monday at training?

What's worse is he's just behaving like our alot of today's corporate crowd. Money dominates to such an extent that to them any means to make it or appear powerful is not only ok but respected amongst their peers.

There is ZERO to be gained by Melbourne complaining bitterly to the AFL. They still control the pursestrings to some extent Schwab was on the committee that approved the rules. We got maxim compensation allowable We arguably didn't do our homework on the bogan money grubbing family Revenge is best served cold.

According to the officlal AFL "omen" rules, half the deck has to be Suns & Giants cards!

People worried about Jurrah, Gysberts and Blease being unfit at the moment, should remember it's only November. The most important thing is that they are participating in all running training. If they continue to be involved with the running part of training for the next 4 months, running several times a week, they will definitely be fit by March 2012. It is impossible to stay unfit when you are running so much and being trained by elite sport science people. The only thing people should be worrying about is the players who don't have proper pre-seasons because they have spent the entire summer in the rehab group. It is almost impossible to have an outstanding season without having completed a strong pre-season

Garland Frawley Grimes Bail Rivers Tapscott Davey Moloney Sylvia Howe Watts Petterd Green Clarke Jurrah Jamar Trengove McKenzie Int: Martin, Jones, Gysberts, Morton, Blease, Bennel, Strauss (inj till mid-year) Depth: Bate, Dunn, Bartram, Jetta, Macdonald, Spenser, James Seller Developing players: Cook (KPF), Gawn (Ruck), Davis (KPD), Fizpatrick (KPF/Ruck), McDonald (KPD/KPF), Taggert (mid/forward), Tynan (HBF) Rookies: Evans, Nicholson, Lawrence + 4 rookiesGarland Frawley Grimes

Hey, it's better than drafting players who enjoy grabbing other people's balls.

I like to think I ask the significant questions on this site...has the Melbourne FC ever had a player called Rory before?

Pretty good introduction for you, that game. I was there and came straight from the Mercy for Women to see it (my first child was born two days earlier). A memorable time those few days. Luke McCabe's name was virtually etched in stone that day.

Yes yes yes and a million times yes. Don't care if he can play I just want that name.