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Neville Jetta poised to sign two-year contract with Melbourne Demons after being delisted in 2013 Well done Nev. Thats just reward for outstanding effort and application. Hope it becomes infectious edit Confimation: MFC twitter

I have told this story before. I went to the first Casey game of the year at windy hill. That day he was IMO the best on the ground and actually kicked the winning goal. I said at the time he was the only MFC player that day that screamed "Pick Me" I walked in behind his partner and his little daughter who was all dressed up in Dees gear with dads number on the back. She had a great day cheering him on. I was near them when Dad kicked the winning goal very late in the time on period of the last quarter. The look on her face was one I will never forget. I can only imagine how proud that little face must be now.

The thing is, BM, that the Federal Court is basically a court of review. They tend to listen to anything the parties claim to be relevant, so rulings on admissibility, approipriateness and so on don’t crop up all that often. It’s only when the judgement is issued that you find out the relevance that the court attributes to hearsay evidence (nil, no doubt) or paranoid fantasies (nil, with even less doubt). I’m on restricted download speed atm because I’ve used up my monthly allowance (already pathetic, thanks Bigpond) updating various bits of software. So I can’t really keep up with how things are unfolding and I’m more or less relying on this thread for scraps of information. Essendon and Hird seem more obsessed with throwing mud at the AFL, when the case is supposedly about ASADA. No doubt this is because they haven’t got anything much in the way of a good legal argument and mud, especially about the AFL, serves their ‘court of public opinion’ appeal better than facts or evidence anyway. So far, all I’ve gathered about actual legal argument is a claim by EFC’s counsel that a joint AFL/ASADA investigation is ‘illegal’. This is a wonderful joke if it’s based on nothing more than Essendon’s earlier claims that a joint investigation isn’t permitted by the NAD Scheme regulation 4.21. That regulation is about ensuring ASADA guarantees the privacy of information it makes available to a body like the AFL (and the references to ASADA’s threat to the AFL to ensure this is a pretty good example of how they understand their obligations). A joint investigation isn’t ruled in by that regulation … but it isn’t ruled out either. As the ASADA submission, at least what I’ve read of it, indicates there are plenty of other provisions that can be appealed to for the authority to conduct any investigations in any manner that ASADA wants (the CEO has the power, according to the ASADA Act, to do whatever s/he regards as necessary … or to put it into the EFC’s stolen words ‘whatever it takes’). But the real measure of the joke is that they seem to be claiming that something that doesn’t follow a regulation isn’t ‘legal’. I can’t believe that Essendon’s conga-line of QCs and their advisors know collectively this little (so to speak) about administrative law. Perhaps it’s the price of hiring a bunch of lawyers with lots of experience and big reputations in all sorts of other jurisdictions. But a regulation isn’t the law, it’s something issued by a minister as a guideline for how the law is to be administered. It might be binding on the administrator, but it ain’t the law (which is spelled out, in this case, in the ASADA Act). If the Federal Court was in the habit of ruling on the admissibility of evidence/argument before or as a case proceeds I suspect that, if regulation 4.21 is all that Essendon has to go on (apart from a lot of quibbling about what is and isn’t shared, joint, co-operative or whatever else), then they’d be out the door already. Sorry for the long comment but this might be my only window for a while. ​PS I don't know who Warner is but since his cricket analogy as it's been summarised earlier seems to rely on both teams batting at once, apparently on different wickets, I hope his understanding of administrative law is a bit more coherent.

I've never got the impression he needed motivation or a spur on; he's always appeared to work hard from the outside at least, just hadn't been able to pull it all together. He just needed some direction and a role that suits his skill set.

Has probably been the highlight of the year for me. I always enjoy players that have done it the hard way really finding their feet. Rarely gets beaten one on one. Hits his targets and has regularly shown a lot of courage where he puts his body. As said above, I hope it's infectious.

I've just caught up with Andruska's evidence via twitter feed and feel it necessary to file another report from the Federal Court Cricket Ground. Her knock today was reminiscent of the great Geoffrey Boycott at the height of his career. She has played a dead bat to every ball thrown at her by the spin duo representing the forces of darkness and looks like keeping her wicket intact until stumps. Will probably not reach anywhere near her maiden 50 but she's kept her end up and her's is a valiant innings nevertheless.

Watts needs a hit of Ayahuasca and some psychological awakening to form a bond between his mind and body because at the moment they're so far apart. Until he is comfortable in his body and strong in the mind, he'll always float about. The guy doesn't need any more football related training or exercises. He needs to see a sports psychologist and strip back some of the conditioning that holds him back on the field. And ayahuasca.

Matt Damon http://youtu.be/BUa5oHgYV2k

Congratulations Nev. Who said the coaching can't help make or break a player? Roosy showed belief and no doubt told him a few home truths, and Nev put his head down, worked his butt off, and deserved every accolade and success that he himself ultimately achieved.

I've read heaps of comments now from people who would be happy to see the club put Hogan on ice for the year. I must be the only selfish bastard who would be absolutely shattered if I don't get a glimpse of him this season.

My wife picked out Nev as her favourite Dees player about 2 or 3 years ago, and I always thought what an odd player to pick as your favourite, meanwhile Colin Sylvia was mine. Hmmm

Am i the only one on this godforsaken 'Land who ISN'T worried about Trenners or Toumpas? I think they will be absolutely fine.

I'm just wiping the egg of my face whilst eating humble pie. Happy to be wrong on this one.

I would think that picks 3&4 can attract better value than a 3rd tall, a mid playing 2nds (albeit in the best side in the comp) and a 30year old with a history of serious injuries. Looking at past trades as a way of comparing values: Reid - Dawes (pick 20 and a swap of late picks in MFC's favour) - at the same age Dawes had less games and more goals in a team just as successful. Reid may be worth a touch more Malceski - Heath Shaw (taylor adams), Andrew Lovett (p16) - hard to find a comparable for Malceski, Shaw and Lovett are the closest I could find in the last 5 years, both were younger a few years younger than Malceski when traded, Malceski is probably worth a bit less due to his age. Mitchell - Josh Caddy (first round compo (after 1st pick) and 3rd rounder) - it's hard to find a comparable for Mitchell, Caddy is probably the closest, however he had asked to be traded to Geelong, as such he may have been worth more on the open market... probably around pick 8-15 or so. Based on the comparables and my thoughts - Reid = pick 15-20ish, Malceski = pick 25-30ish and Mitchel = pick 8-15. Frawley compo + our 2nd round is probably about the mark for those 3.

Diary note 12th August 2014, 2 days after perigee full moon. James is being very disagreeable this morning.

This label of "bashing" that gets attributed to anyone who is critical of Watts' output to date is silly.

bout time we had another Jack Watts debate

We need more talented midfielders. The fact that we go about 4 deep in there is what is killing us. Tyson, Vince, and Cross were godsends, and need a few more gifts from Heaven. Salem, Kent and JKH will join those Jones, Viney, Vince, and Tyson at some point but we need established mids to help right now. Otherwise, I fear we will be running on the spot next season. Hogan, Dawes, and Pedersen/Gawn can be moulded into a functioning forward line and our backline has the foundations of solidity if not finesse. It's the middle we need to get more talent and ready made talent.

Really? They are both about 5'11 and indigenous, but as far as footy goes I don't see a whole lot of similarities. What are these similarities?

Hird strikes me as a Narcissist with paranoid delusions. This man is so obsessed by his own image and self import he works to a think-set that is not ours . Many here, myself included, you too it would appear , have trouble applying our logic and coming up with an outcome that makes sense of this journey. That is our error, i.e we think like we do. He doesn't. In Golden Boy's world it's all about him. His golden foil aka Tanya has bought into this also, obviously as events have shown. What is his end game ? Absolution of course.Not only, but the restitution of him on his throne. He thinks he has not only done no wrong but considers all his 'work' to date to be inspired, beyond question and not accountable to lesser mortals. I sense he simply thinks he has the right to be reinstated as man-god of Windy Hill p.s I dont suggest I'm a particularly smarter mind or really understand his end game

Our turnovers just went up by 25%

OH MY GOD!! Just seeing those images and reading the first couple of paragraphs brings back some unbelievable emotions and memories for me as a 19 year old supporter experiencing his first finals campaign. I still get shivers when I recall listening to the final home and away round game against Footscray at their 'dung heap' (in the same game that our young 'bright light' Garry Lyon broke his leg) on my dodgy transistor radio in the shed at home....thankfully it was a radio broadcast game for that weekend (for those younger folk...many weren't...you had to either listen to the horse racing or another game and wait to get a 'cross' of score update during their broadcast........no internet or Foxtel back then kiddies!! The next Monday I 'took a sickie' to line up and get tickets for the biggest game in my life......and got them!! On game day my parents, brother and I got there early.....really early........well before the reserve's game had started...... and part way through the under 19's kicking the dew off the grass. We also had the 'nervous' pleasure of getting a confident nod and smile from John 'Swooper' Northey when he appeared behind us to smell the air and survey the atmosphere at half time of the reserves game. My memories of that final's campaign. I have not seen Melbourne supporters as vocal as I did in that '87 Elimination Final..........admittedly there was a LOT to cheer about from the first goal at the 35 second mark onwards!!......BUT.....the standing ovation when the team walked off at half time was something to behold and still give me goose bumps when I think of it. For a team that literally FELL into the finals and was regarded as a team full of 'rejects' from other clubs, we showed the football world in the MOST emphatic fashion what the value of BELIEF and DETERMINATION are to a football team. (The only game I have seen since that remotely compares is the Geelong effort in the Grand Final where they passed the baton of GREATEST LOSING MARGIN onto Port Adelaide....thank you Geelong). Towelling the Swans by 77 points in week two and turning the football world on it's head......'What has POSESSED the Demons"?. Missing SO MANY opportunities to bury the Hawks in the first half to following week. Seeing Robert 'Dipper' DiPierdomenico in full flight at 93kg's 'fairly and squarely' hip and shoulder Robbie Flower (75kg). The result a broken Collar Bone from the impact. This was the first 'wrench in the guts' that told me 'Robbie' was not going to get what the football world wanted for him.....a crack at a Premiership. Jimmy running over the mark just before the final siren.........as much as it pains me to type it........I know he won't rest 'easy' until that next Premiership Flag is flying high at the MFC. Seeing Hawthorn limp into the GF and get SMASHED by a fresh and clinical Carlton outfit.........we may not have won but by gee we would have given a [censored] good yelp. Go Dees

A good read. Beats the hell out of accepting legal opinions of Mick Warner.

Social Litigator Day 2 ... and ..

And have a reasonable run with injuries

At least he'll have someone to talk to .

Come on you blokes - leave Saty alone. After all he is apparently the heart , soul, admin, coaching, welfare, fitness expert, bootstuding etc center of the club. And .. what's more .. he respects your opinions. Provided they align with his of course. His bombast is becoming tiresome.

Only two?

nope - he wasn't - soft as butter in his early years. Lots of outside stuff and he would tease with talent but wouldn't put himself on the line. StKilda supporters were baying for blood and wanted him traded out ( the lots that I know). Something clicked and voila - the very tense uptight competitive animal we see today. I have the same hopes for Watts ( you're a fool Nutbean, a fool !)

One mans list clogger is another mans excellent small defender. I am so happy for him and the club and the fans. Well done to him and well done to all the (many) various admins that kept him around for him to make such a difference in 2014.

Reward for an amazing turn around. So happy for him.

Fantastic result for Nev - shows what a bit of dedication & commitment, (garnished with encouragement from a Coach who is clearly a good 'people person'), can achieve. Let's hope that a few more do the 'hard yards' and generate the well-deserved rewards.

Well deserved, need to find a spot for him on the Demonland Banner.

When we have so many sub standard players on our list why would we trade a bloke who clearly has the attributes to be a solid 250 game player. Until we have 30+ AFL standard player on our list Watts stays.

I live in eternal hope and can be blamed for not folding early enough - it took me until the final year of Col Sylvia to finally wake up ( if only he had a full preseason). I love the Ro Bails and the Rileys of the world - not huge amounts of talent but a willingness to go hard every week. I do despair a little over Watts as has some sublime skills. I just want him to develop some urgency.I haven't jumped ship yet though.

Just found this article in the Irish Independant, apart from referring to us as the Red & Black not a bad piece, where Sam opens up about the last few days of Jim's life and also glad to hear how life is moving on for her http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/sam-stynes-on-death-grief-and-her-new-relationship-30495830.html

Personally I wouldn't trade Watts, true he frustrates every supporter in some way, but I equate him to Brendon Goddard (used to bring at ST Kilda supporting acquaintance of mine to tears on a regular basis), he is getting there, (whoops hit the post key too quick).....Roos seems content with the direction Watts is heading so all this talk of trade etc seems mute

Like Dunn and Jetta... The club and its list manager should make the best decision available to it at the time for the players they will bring and those that are out of contract - draft well, recruit well. Rise and repeat. That is how you build a list, not by making decisions based on emotion which, I am sorry to say, I think you are advocating and that I know Neeld made. Martin for Pick 54, Moloney for nothing, Morton for nothing a year before his contract was up - these were never sound decisions whatever one feels about the player - the list sighed and creaked at the lack of desire to get value from the player (either in output on the list or through their trade/future deletion). Those that want us to remove Tapscott, Blease, Strauss, Bail, Byrnes, Terlich, and Nicholson with Clark and Frawley gone or likely to go AND pay out the contracts of (or trade away for nothing) Evans, McKenzie, Fitzpatrick, and M.Jones AND trade out Watts and Trengove for the sake of parlaying a message to the group - those that see this as right and proper are never going to see the list being properly built; 15 players out for the possible return of Pick 4 and 30 for Frawley and Watts. And the requirement to use the last 5 or 6 picks in the ND just to fill out the list. I shudder to think how the list would look like if Neeld had another off-season in charge - don't we all? Well, those that advocate the massive cleanout at the end of this season - that's what you leering toward even if you don't see it.

Have said it myself months ago. If I was offered pck 20 I would take it.

methinks reid played on both sides of the fence

Keep using your code mate, I might have to ask what it means from time to time though. Hope you don't mind.

Almost forgot about Trengove. What a godsend he would be if we could get him fit and role in the midfield (even better if we could find him a yard of pace). But there is no value to remove the bloke and 'jackaub' posted he was 'part of the problem' whatever that means. Everyone seems to be 'part of the problem' until they are 'part of the solution' if they have been kept around and we start to see more success.

He's in the first year of a three year contract after being convinced by the coach to return to the club. I just don't see Roos giving up on himself more than anything. And Watts has shown more in his first 6 years than Dunn did; so there is always hope that he can show what he has shown - in many quarters and halves and the odd game - over a more consistent period.

Here is the Social Litigators assessment of day 1, apologies if it's already been linked http://sociallitigator.com/2014/08/11/reading-the-tea-leaves-essendon-v-asada-opening-submissions/

All I keep thinking is Asada sitting there thinking to themselves, this club is stuffed, let's get the club banned as well. Essendon are doing themselves no favours here. I hope they burn and go into insolvency and the AFL tell them "sorry, we had money, but it was used in a court case."

It's actually worse than that, he admitted to taking a bribe to sign the deed.

Positions we need to fill in 2015: A coach for 2017.

well, for someone too fukin lazy to type full words you just did. if i'm on a high horse, then you must be on a rocker. & cut the crap. just write what it means & be done with it.

Oh please. Players every week go into games completely injured and or sick leaving them at 60% of normal function. It's the coaches responsibility to decide whether to pick him. If he'd played sick and dominating you'd be labelling him someone who bleeds red and blue Whod do anything for the club. He was one of 22 players and 10 coaches who had the worst day of their career that day, if you judge his career on that, you're following the wrong sport.

on?? whatever he takes