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Showing content with the highest reputation on 26/02/16 in all areas

  1. You have the ability to compartmentalise. So many supporters here not reading the tea leaves... He doesn't want to live in Perth (yet), so dismiss the "go home factor" He's "loyal" - a point his manager is keen to point out He only extended his last contract 18 months ago He's only got one season under his belt With two years still to run he and his advisers think another year to show his wares (and confirm that the Dees are on the right track) makes perfect sense There are many players on the list (Harmes, Kent, JKH, Tom Mc, Petracca, etc.) that he is very close to and player relationships is one of the major reasons players don't go He's well aware of his importance to the team and would feel a real responsibility to help make a difference - it might be different if he was 26 and had already given plenty of service I'm very relaxed about the situation.
    8 points
  2. Another year down the track...another year of this list playing together, the fabric tightens. Success will be the ultimate thread that binds. The better we get the better we get at getting better and the getting of better players and keeping them becomes more automatic. Go Dees
    7 points
  3. I believe Jack Viney will be setting the bar long before Oliver will be. He'll just follow in his footsteps.
    7 points
  4. That's beyond absurd. You really think that any sporting club would willingly screw a star player who shows good faith? Hogan will always have the negotiating power, even if he verbally commits. And anyone who believes the Roos line of " the club also thought it best to postpone talks until end of season " are either gullible or stupid. The club would be doing cartwheels if Hogan re-signed this week or even mid year.
    5 points
  5. The biggest problem for the AFL is that no one believes anything they say. People automatically assume every public utterance is spin, or worse. They've completely blown their credibility.
    5 points
  6. They have nearly a full strength side including a very strong midfield. We have 2 key mids out. They have also played a full game and its their own dung heap. If we win it will be a tremendous victory. If we don't it will be all about how we play and whether we play for 4 quarters. Personally I'd like to see an obvious game plan and for us to stick to that throughout the game. A strong attack on the player and the footy. And good two way running. Finally, no injuries.
    4 points
  7. I have been reading this thread throughout without contributing, but I feel the need to add my two-bobs-worth (apologies to young folk who have NFI what that expression means). Hogan has already extended his contract. He will be an MFC player for at least two more seasons in that time we will be inside the top eight.... IF we continue to improve at the rate we improved in 2015. I keep hearing that Hogan will stay if the team shows that sort of improvement (Finalists!)... that is where I would like to make an important observation/modification... Its not just about the team improving/imposing itself/increasing output ... the upward trend is very dependent on Hogan improving/imposing himself/increasing output. If Hogan kicks 65 goals this season we are going to be in the fight for the top eight at the business end. If he kicks 80 goals in 2017 we will be close to top four. If that happens Hogan will be saying "Where do I sign?". So the future for Hogan at the MFC is very much in Hogan's capable hands. If he doesn't rise to those levels the Team won't rise to those levels. To summarise... If Hogan is as good as we all think the future takes care of itself! Relax fellow Demons, sit back, belt up and enjoy the ride.
    4 points
  8. I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.
    4 points
  9. Those three latest interview are all terrific in their own right. i especially like listening to Nibbler talk. I know some think he has a case of verbal diarrhoea but he's just very thoughtful about his responses and as a supporter I appreciate the fact he puts some thought into what he says. Was interesting to hear him single out Tommy Bugg as a positive influence on the younger players with his hardness at the contest. Bugg is one that I'm really looking forward to seeing in the red and blue on Saturday. Fans who aren't familiar with him are going to love him I reckon. Doesn't know how to take a backward step.
    4 points
  10. I agree with your points in the the first para McQueen and hope you're right with second one. A key psychological element winning teams have is an expectation of winning. I've been fascinated to listen to the recent interviews on Dee tv with Neal Bullen, Kent and Harmes. All talk about the expectation of playing well this season and specifically this weekend against Port. They talk about winning this game and the other NAB games as an important energy to bring into the season. This reflects the very positive messages coming from Roos and Mahoney in the last week about us being successful this year. A far cry from the 'one week at time, focus on on getting the process right and winning will take care of itself' nonsense espoused by Neeld but also a far different tone from Roos this year to last. They are priming the players and this gives me alot of confidence. As does how positively the players are about the vibe around the club. Terrific stuff. The other interesting thing in term of psychology at the club - and one i've mentioned before - is how clear players seem to be about the role they will play and how open the club is about these roles. For example Kent talks about how much he is looking forward to playing forward with Hogan, Frost etc.
    4 points
  11. Carlton must have been hugely successful 'Bob' to get all those Friday night games last year...
    4 points
  12. I have NO problem with Jesse putting off talks for this season. Now i want The MFC to perform this season in such a way that Jesse WANTS TO STAY We as a club must be attractive not just on paper Performance on field will sign this deal.
    4 points
  13. I'm very relaxed about the situation with Jesse. We are in the box seat to re-sign him. We just need to perform on the field now - that is, and should be, the focus now. Won't be so relaxed if we put in tres ordinaire performances week in, week out, and continually get belted. Perhaps it's seriously misguided optimism, but I just can't see that happening anymore.
    4 points
  14. That's over three and a half meters tall!
    4 points
  15. 4 points
  16. Was one of the five who went today, and ironically went on the motorbike, although I left the family and the dog behind. Missed most of the early match sims so didn't see Trenners train. From what I saw a pretty light session. Couple of things I noticed. The sheer size of Petracca is impressive, especially across the shoulders. Gawn has become the Heart and the Soul of this group. At the end of the session he was whooping and hollering, "We got a game on this Saturday boys". Revving up the whole group. Took some happy snaps http://imgur.com/a/ac5UL
    4 points
  17. Afl to my mind is in serious trouble. Sure the dollars are rolling in in record numbers. But when clubs are stuck at the bottom of the ladder for years and years When those same clubs become feeder clubs for those perennially in the top 8 When the top 8 clubs dont need the draft because they just cherry pick the best players from the lower clubs When the afl pretty much supports drug cheating and will no doubt give essendon all the support in the world despite the fact that the entire club cheated the other 17 clubs When loud music etc become essential to the "pre game experience" When its not about the footy any more but about the entertainment When fans of competing clubs cant get into grand finals because the corporate types are there Well, its in a very sick place imho.
    3 points
  18. He's not responsible for "the knots in your underpants". You are. As a sign of good faith Hogan extended 18 months ago, but seemingly that's not good enough for you. FFS, the guy has 2 seasons left on his contract and he's saying I'll negotiate at the end of this year. Bloody reasonable if you ask me.
    3 points
  19. I want to see a win, we are well past the point of being happy with a "good effort" This is a strong MFC side, no excuses
    3 points
  20. I personally would not sign two years out, I think he is doing the right thing. Sure, I'd be happier if he did, but the fact his manager has stayed he won't break contract either is a sign that he isn't thinking of going right now. I think he will re-sign with us early next year for three years, after that he may go back home.
    3 points
  21. Let's bulldoze Southbank and Crown and rebuild the Allen's Sweets factory and Morley Ford. More industry on the Yarra banks, that's what we need for the World's most liveable city!
    3 points
  22. Make no mistake though, Parish will be hailed by all and sundry as a god-like future Brownlow Medallist upon debut, because the media are incapable of saying a negative thing about the drug cheats. It's all about selling hope! Oliver won't even rate a mention because Melbourne, even if he bursts out like a bull at the gates.
    3 points
  23. For every Mitchell and Jordan Lewis you need an Bradley Hill and Isaac Smith - the difference is that whilst Mitchell and Jordan are size and grunt and Hill and Smith are not, all 4 are competitors....
    3 points
  24. I agree that there would need to be a safety net of some description for the appalling management that has been in place at various clubs, including ours. I think we are at a point though where clubs can become healthy, viable, and profitable if given the same opportunities. It wont matter how well we are run or how many games we win, we will never get the exposure to the market of say a Collingwood. That hold us down as it does with many other clubs. That is what I want to stop. Just like in general society I think we should be getting people off welfare through supporting them and giving them the tools to stand on their own feet, teaching them to fish. And just like in society if we can do this then as a whole we are better off. The AFL see things differently. Happy to leave it there, we both know how the other thinks on this issue and both are valid views.
    3 points
  25. I just had a squizz at the Fremantle board regarding Jesse Hogan delaying contract negotiations. Majority of supporters seemed very realistic that there is a very slim to none chance Hogan will go back to WA and more likely than not sign back on with the Dees. Playing it down that he has put negotiations on hold as it was the right decision for all parties.
    3 points
  26. The situation isn't anything like Howe last year, Jesse has been in talks for a while now and to the point numbers and years are a part of it, he's been shown a vision of the future, i am firmly of the belief, Jesse has an offer on the table and he and his manager simply want to see improvement before he signs away the next 5-7 years of his career, which is absolutely fair enough just watch him train and you'll see he's totally invested in the club, he wants to be part of it. Putting talks on hold is simply to quiet the speculation of Jesse signing in the very near future so he can make a calm and calculated decision in his own time, but i have no doubt he will sign on.
    3 points
  27. To understand where the AFL sits on many things you only have to look at what are their priorities. Currently #1 with a bullet is Betting. How ironic that a sport having ties its coat-tails to money derived from such a pastime now finds it its' Albatross.. It's worried about off shore betting ( it has no control over, nor does the gov ) . It's worried about nefarious contacts between such monied interests and 'susceptible" players etc. Is worried about criminal elements, organised crime and such. I find it quite amazing that this is what is uppermost in the minds of the current administration of our beloved game, not because they might indeed need attention but that they are sufficiently prominent to be ahead of what I would have thought more definitive aspects of this sport . Worldwide the greatest concern in the world of sporting governance is drugs. Not so much the recreational varieties as the attention of those is more the preserve of local authorites and such , but more the ability to rout a system of rules and gain unfair advantage. This is #1 on the IOC list #1 on WADAS watch and who knows where on the AFL's. Unlike the American and European Greed Games aka Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, NFL , Hockey etc the AFL does indeed come under the regulations as set out by the WADA Code. The AFL may well be an unwilling bride to this arrangement but it shouldnt be. The AFL unlike the Premier Codes of many overseas sports is also the Overseeing body of its code's development. Much good work is does at a local , regional and State level to promote and nurture the game. For this iit does indeed need a hefty bank. The Government of the Land is also interested in sports. It is after all a National passion and is as much part of our National DNA as beaches, bush and bandicoots and because it is the Government extends vast truckloads of money to Sport. The AFL has its own fleet of transport for just such conveyance of funds. As a participant in Major sporting pastimes the AFL ought to have the interest of its participants very much at the front of its list, but does it ? The AFL should have been seeking out to join the WADA train not be shotgunned into boarding it. But a signatory it is. And with that comes many responsibilities. Like any good governance it should not only do it, but be seen to be doing it. It shoud be proactive not defensive towards it. It ought embrace, not shirk. The AFL very much displayed its true colours by its actions in the Essendon Affair, from the early tip-off , the attempted derailing of the investigations through clandestine ( and sometimes obvious ) support of providing the Players an easy avenue of remonstration, through to the pandering to the EFC and falling over backwards to maintain that clubs ultra competitiveness. Not ability to play, but to compete with an almost advantage. The Job of the AFL is not to PLAY the game, just run it. At all possible opportunities the AFL has endeavoured to smooth the path for those it ought to be punishing. The AFL sees this as brand protection. It is nothing of the sort really. It has both eyes firmly on the 'credit' column of its accounts. To Suggest that Teams like Collingwood have no advantage is either comical or naive. How often do they travel...and when. How well they have been allowed to retain the integrity of their own brand by not having to often bow to ridiculous jumper requirements. Amazing how often the Pies feature at premium game times and events, all the whiles helping their coffers and placating their fans. I dont begrudge them that but it needs to be shared. There are other clubs with outrageous advantages , Geelong for example but this writing wouldnt end if I dont restict it. The whole comparison to Socialism, Democracy or Charity etc is plainly rubbish. These are straw elements . The AFL is in fact a cooperative designed organisation. Yes it runs a Business but whilst the aim/motive of business is purely to provide a return on investment to its shareholders the AFL is entrusted to run the game on behalf of its' member clubs ( I often think it's forgotten this ) As suggested many forms of institiutons may well deal with ethical problems but invariably they are of their own creation. If they stucl to their original purpose and creed there would be far far less instances of scandal and wrong doing. Why should the AFL be any different ? I would argue vehemently why should the AFL have ANY if it just stuck to its task. It only has ethics issue because of the time honoured devil and root of all undoings, the seeking of money for its own sake, or in the AFL's case a corporate ego mentality. I dont see Gil or any of his wonderboy brigade suffering too much. They sit as Caesars upon their Stadia, Kings over their Kingdom. They have made THEMSELVES the primary focus instead of the Welfare of the Games and the Clubs who put them there. There are indeed business and entertainment elements to the game of footy but they ought to be subservient to the spectacle not the reason itself. Footy belongs to the people, not a selected few. The mums and dads participating and bringing kids to the game either as spectators or players should feel the game as safe as can be made. Again drugs are the scourge of mondern life. If the AFL cant be seen to be caring about it let alone on top of all that can be done to monitor its insurgence then it is failing. The AFL had a perfect opportunity to stamp its disapproval with the Essendon fiasco and it chose to do the exact opposite. What message does this really send to its public. The only Agenda the AFL runs to is what's in it for me. Everything else it does is sheer bribery to calm the objectors or quieten the ones with abnormal hold. To judge this Sporting's Governing Body by the trappings of its wealth is indeed to worship a false god. The AFL is a sick and corrupt organisation. There ought to be a Royal Commisison into the pre-eminent Codes in this country. There ought to be but given the incestuous nature of politics and sport, it won't happen. We are a much poorer nation as a result.
    3 points
  28. You can be a competitor without being a monster or an extraction machine like a Viney. 1/ When it is you turn to go - you go 2/ Keep putting in for the full 4 quarters. To me this is the big one - Everyone "competes" but 4 quarter efforts need to be the benchmark. I don't want hear our coach say - "we played so well for 3 quarters but we started poorly/ faded out/ had a bad 30 minutes and that one quarter cost us".
    3 points
  29. Can this post be pinned to the top somehow? The hand wringing by some in this thread is ridiculous.
    3 points
  30. The guy is a monster. His number one asset as a player will be the ability to get his arms free and handball over his opponents to our team mates. Will be a contested beast.
    3 points
  31. I couldn't agree more. But Viney is a bulldozer. His attack on the footy and his intensity in each game he plays is something guys like Brayshaw, Petracca, Oliver etc will be looking up to in the years to come. Viney doesn't give a stuff about size, he just gets it done.
    3 points
  32. I have been attended training for the last five years on an infrequent basis. Intially (because I knew no better ) I thought that our training standards were good. In comparison with what I am seeing this year and last year I can see just how far behind we really were. The Group dynamic has changed dramatically. We no longer have a group of introverts. These guys like each others company. You can hear them urging each other on. They take the p out of each other as well and have a laugh doing it.Gawn,Vince,Hogan,Petracca,Kent, Viney and Vandenberg all have swagger. For the first time in eons the boys are comfortable in their skins. For the first time in ages they look like a football team and behave like a team. All we need now is for them to play like a team.
    3 points
  33. Agree with all your points, BR. This is why the AFL will, in spite of no clamour from the fans, switch to a night grand final. "Because the half time entertainment is so much better under lights." Strike me pink!
    3 points
  34. I think we do or are very close. Starting from the backline we have solid unit in Dunn, Macdonald, Jetta, Salem etc are all hard at it and can tackle. On to the midfield and there's a list of absolute solid candidates who compete. We also have 3 players who either haven't played or been on long term injury who could be potential A Graders.(Petracca, Oliver, Trengove) Finishing up forward with Hogan, Kent and even Dawes if form permits. Look at our previous sides in past years and I reckon when they click it'll go BANG and surprise everybody?
    2 points
  35. i thought this thread was the "state of the afl" not the "state of the mfc" which is quite a different thing start another thread if posters want to talk about that but combining the two topics will achieve nothing but confusion
    2 points
  36. Totally agree. After so many wasted drafts it seems the penny has dropped, you pick the kids with an appetite for a contest and with skills of course. I used to say we needed kids with some mongrel, aggressive, physical, dare I say intimidating types but we kept picking nice, skilled, Outside types and it cost us. I now have some confidence that we can be nasty and I think we have a group of kids who can play. We just need a good run with injuries.
    2 points
  37. I'm just scarred and damaged, PD......scarred and damaged.
    2 points
  38. I've said this type of thing before and I'll say it again. If he wants out at some point then so be it. I don't care. We should be well compensated. Enjoy him now and don't be jaded. A lot of sad negativity on this thread. Really sad. (ie. sad supporters) cheer up y'all. I'm [censored] pumped for round 1!
    2 points
  39. Are you really interested? The AFL are signatories to WADA most probably because the Government wanted them to be. It's not a part of football that interests me so I know little of it beyond that. But at the end of the day Essendon have suffered the most damaging disruption for years now and face a complete rebuild subject to what the 12 banned players do. Can they both sue and play for the club at the same time? All I know is if I was an Essendon supporter who had no say in the supplements saga I'd be shattered. Drugs is an issue within the AFL and depending where you stand "scant regard" and "thumbing its nose at WADA" is a view. It's certainly not an issue that defines the AFL's success or otherwise as trustees of the game. "Pandering to certain power clubs" is also a view. But the competition is not even and never will be. 18 teams and a 22 game season sees to that. There will be winners and losers. The question to me is whether all clubs have a reasonable opportunity. I think they do but there will always be inequities. WCE play 12 "home" games at a ground that favours them heavily. Collingwood don't get that advantage. We got Viney and Stretch as FS's well after their true draft position. The capitalist in me says the power clubs deserve benefits as they are the ones who have been well managed and should benefit from that. Why should the well run Hawks who gave games in Melbourne away to develop their supporter base in Tassie give money to those that didn't make that sacrifice? If you don't give the clubs a reward for good management where is the incentive? There are a group of posters here who always seem to be outraged about the AFL and any decision they make. Your statement above about the AFL being driven by the dollar and not ethics is interesting. Firstly if the AFL wasn't run as a business (driven by the dollar) many clubs wouldn't exist and perhaps the AFL itself would have failed as a result. But secondly what is ironic is that those that bemoan the ethics of the AFL still support it so passionately through the support of the MFC. Don't kid yourself that support of the MFC isn't support of the AFL. It's hard to think of an institution that is not compromised in terms of ethics. Charities, churches, governments, sporting codes (Olympics and soccer) and business all have ethical questions hanging over their heads. Why should the AFL be different? The AFL is a business in the entertainment sector and it competes in that market. They are doing pretty well and don't look like going away soon. We exist because they are a very well run business who have a socialist agenda. Thank heavens because I really enjoy supporting MFC.
    2 points
  40. There's no doubt that without Jones and Vince our midfield looks a bit young and light on, but I'm looking forward to how they perform. It will give Tyson, Viney, Brayshaw, vandenBerg, Harmes, Grimes, Stretch and Oliver a great guide as to how they're tracking.
    2 points
  41. I am not pessimistic Mr Leg I just tell it the way I see it and for most of the last decade we have had a list that could not beat time with a stick. It has not been hard to see the problems over that period. The list is now substantially better and the wins are going to start happening as a result. Saturday is no.1 for 2016.
    2 points
  42. Can't be letting posters get away with in accurate gifs.
    2 points
  43. The way I'm reading it is this - sign James Harmes to a 10 year contract and Jesse will follow suit. C'mon Peter, you know what to do...
    2 points
  44. Just rewatched the Round 23 game against GWS and to put it simply, Christian Salem is a class above. This guy will be a serious player for us and I can't wait to see him take the next step this year. Reminds a bit of Adem Yze (a seriously unmentioned player on this forum) with his kicking skills and ability to play all over the ground. If he plays 20 odd games this year, he'll give the Bluey a serious shake.
    2 points
  45. The fish rots at the head. The league is an incestuous boys club. Instead of getting a real CEO from outside the AFL world with fresh views and ideas, they just pass the torch to Gil the dill.
    2 points
  46. I know that you're being facetious, but I'm actually quite looking forward to seeing how Terlich goes. By most accounts he's had a great preseason, and based on this positive report, he's in fantastic shape having shed 8kg and recorded a personal best in the 3km time-trial. While I know it's highly unlikely that he'll come into the team and become one of our best players, I'll be watching with interest to see whether his strong pre-season translates into on-field improvement in 2016. It sounds like his hard work has at least put him in strong contention for selection in the NAB matches.
    2 points
  47. I am no fan of the AFL or any organisation for that matter. All organisations suffer from corruption, power, politics and egos that can so easily change the way things are done. Sporting organisations are probably worse because the men at the helm are well....let's say diplomatically speaking, punching above their weight. The AFL runs a hopelessly compromised competition. The stakeholders involve TV, digital and media players, the gaming industry, and any number of unholy businesses. At the same time, the AFL has to accommodate the clubs. The nature of the business model and the innate culture of the competition naturally means that the powerful clubs have most sway. At the same time, the AFL under the funding arrangements and influenced by its own rhetoric pay lip service to the other clubs. The AFL is like a coalition of the Liberal Party and the Labor Party or Capitalism and Democratic Socialism. It is a difficult business to manage and can only operate through influence, deal making and collusion. Andrew and Gill are deal makers and increasingly the deals are about money and power both at an organisational level and a personal level. I am completely cynical about professional sport yet I still yearn for the contest. To watch a great game or a champion weave his magic. A Jesse Hogan crashing a pack . It is the game that matters. Let's hope the greed and the power does not get the better of the game. The power of TV companies and gambling to unduly influence when and how the hand is played worries me. Overplay their hand and the game from the publics perspective will be irretrievably damaged. Night Grand Finals will happen . Rule changes will happen. Yet in all of this despair Jesse Hogan or Jack Viney will still have the Demon faithful on their feet. We will still celebrate our tribal loyalty and unity against the other tribes.
    2 points
  48. Been a long time coming with a list this long but take your pick and with apologies to ANB, Brayshaw, Stretch, Vanders and Oliver (How good is it not to expect a 1st year player to be our saviour and shining light and allow them to develop) Salem - think we landed a beauty in him Kent - I think the penny has dropped, he has the tools and the speed to really hurt opposition Petracca - loved what I saw in 2014 Nationals and the pre AFL willingness to knuckle down Trengove - obvious reasons and many forget the footy smarts, discipline to adhere to team structure and ability shown before injury Hogan - 2nd season and has everything Viney - jumped up a class last season expect him to become our number 1 mid by seasons end Tmac - can he make the early season form of 2015 to a consistent and regular occurence Gawn - Has the preseason and miles into the body to go with the ability and the ruck craft he has learnt, could be a big year
    2 points
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