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It is amazing how our list has progressed to the point, where we are talking about guys coming in and some of our developing players and you struggle to fit them in into the 22. That is the starting point for continued success. We have not seen the best of Hunt, Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, Hogan, Oscar, Frost, Wagner, Gawn ( yes he will still learn and improve ), Weideman, Viney etc. Even Watts is getting better and Kent and VDB can add to their consistency. Guys like Smith, Hulett, Maynard, ANB, JKH and King are developing. We bring in Lewis and the two Bombers. We are 5 days away from a draft, with a couple of late picks and most of us, I assume, are pretty blase about it, unlike the past, where it was our hope and salvation. Exciting times lie ahead for our club.

Getting excited about talent is all part of the fun I thought. Stuff tempering expectations - I go all in. I know I might end up bitterly disappointed again, but one of these days I'm bound to be right and it'll be worth it, surely?

The difference these days, if you want to be better, we have coaches and programs that will help you Forgot this bit from training Me "Macca what do you think of Jack's hair" Macca "I don't care what colour they have their hair, as long as the head it's on is over the ball"

The Eagles clash jumper options above make a mockery of this supposed mandatory "predominantly white" clash strip crap the club has been peddling, as do the several other clash jumpers from other clubs sited with this thread. The white predominance may have once been a policy, but in keeping with societal standards, the AFL is now applying a more multicoulourtural approach and accepting those with backgrounds other than white - the MFC needs to move with the times.

I'm not so sure that it was one out of the box. I saw him early in the season and was very impressed with his attributes but he struggled to find the ball. At the end of the season he was getting involved much more and still doing good things. His preliminary final was good but not a standout compared to some of his later games after he recovered from his groin injury in the middle of the season. I've heard from some sources inside the club he was seriously considered for a debut in the last two rounds of the AFL season so I think your estimation of him is off target. This kid has it all IMO. He has pace, he's got good hands, he attacks the ball very hard, he's agile, has a really good leap that allows him to play taller than he is and is a natural looking kick. He is learning to find the ball and he is learning where to kick it and how to make good decisions. Once he's got these things bedded down he will make an impact at AFL level. One thing I don't know about is his tank. To those that have been to training this year, how is he going in the running? Keeping up or struggling? I think it's safe to be very bullish about this kid. Oh, and BBP, I agree with you that Howe gets a terrible rap here. He's a very serviceable back that provides the ability to spoil and is a good kick. I'm not sure what our exact trade was for Howe as it seemed to be mixed up with Toump and Kennedy and a few picks but so far I think Collingwood would be very pleased with the outcome. Having said that he plays a position we have ample resources for and I don't think we are suffering not having him. But credit where credit is due, he's a very good footballer and the Pies got a good deal.

that must be the predominately white away jacket haven't you been listening bub. need a red or inverse one for away jacket

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag but I can reveal that we're working on the No T$ No B$ straight jacket as we speak.

There's only one fact that matters, and that is that he chose to drive with alcohol in his system. If you are suggesting that maybe it was residual from an earlier drinking bout, then he must have been extremely pizzed which if anything makes matters worse. I would disagree that I was making an issue out of it...rather, I was pointing to the fact that now he is playing at the top level, he needs to exercise more self control. You are right about those players, but that doesn't make it any less unacceptable.

...and Terlich finished 3rd in ours a few years back. Collingwood were a very average team this year and Howe was one of their better defenders, whilst not a great kick he was entrusted kick in duties at Collingwood. Shows more about them than him. Not sure it backs up your point about him as a quality player. I thinks he's not a bad player, quality is probably pushing it a bit.

Hey pates, you know what doesnt clash with GCs red? Blue.

That seems like an incredibly stupid idea from Hird, and he's done some pretty dumb things in recent years. The doping saga is still really fresh in everyone's minds, hell Watson only handed back his medal like a week ago, how he and any potential network can possibly think he would have support of listeners (aside from blind Essendon fans) is beyond me. He needs to leave the AFL bubble for some time and let things breathe, I can guarantee you if I heard his voice on commentary or on a radio show I would switch off. And seriously Gary, really? You're trying to rebuild your reputation, why would even come near that train wreck?

You almost had me until "Lloyd (on-field)"...

Great Story. My Dad had a stroke about 3 weeks ago. He is just starting Rehab...went to bed feeling fine... it happens sometimes. Take NOTHING for granted

The coming week is going to be big for the Casey ? Scorpions with the AFL National and Rookie Drafts likely to claim as many as three players - Declan Keilty, Tim Smith and Oscar McInerney. That hasn't prevented the Scorpions from moving ahead with their recruiting plans for next year and beyond. The club has recruited Noble Park midfielder and 2016 Eastern Football League Young Gun winner Ben Giobbi whose brother Andrew played with Frankston until the Dolphins were dumped from the VFL due to their financial crisis.

Im still not sure who we actually clash with ?

Hogan, hero: loved colleague returns to The Age

I know the club has a high regard of Smith but the figures don't bear out your argument. Smith's preliminary final game was his best for the year statistically. He scored 79 dream team points that day and this was matched by him only once after he recovered from his groin injury and that was against Coburg when the team won by 14 goals. His next best was in the 60's in his first game back from injury against Sandringham. He was well behind the team average and wasn't getting named in the best players or polling votes from the umpires. I didn't go back to check his stats pre injury - I saw enough to say he was patchy. He's a good prospect and has come back in good nick but let's not get too carried away just yet.

Yeah I saw that, it ties into the way the club has reacted (not the fans). They have recognised he has done a very stupid thing, the leadership group will punish him and we can move on. This blokes got a great future with us and we can only hope he's learned a good solid lesson.

There are definitely two seperate issues being debated here, the issue of the design and the issue of whether it's even necessary. I don't subscribe to the idea that's it's necessary but at the same time I'm enough of a realist to know that this is something the AFL want and I also see there being potential marketing and sales opportunities for the clash guernsey. So I don't have issue with us having a clash strip or the AFL having a policy for clash guernseys. I wish they wouldn't have to be all white but I think GC is one team that we are supposed to clash with so all red is unrealistic vs them. My only issue is with the current, and in my opinion lazy design of this latest top. In the correspondence between Rodney and the club they mention that this design allowed for more Red and Blue with a predominantly white strip. I would be very interested to see if this was pointed to from the start when they put forward this idea to the club. Because honestly I don't see that. I see a logo slapped onto a plain white background. As many have alluded to it's the sort of thing you would see in the cheap markets of Bali & Thailand. In an age where fan/social media engagement is massive I can't believe that the club could miss such an obvious opportunity to give the fans a chance to shape the image of the club. Have a design competition + fan vote + free signed clash guernsey at the end to someone who picks the winner and you've got blatant easy marketing. Add a plug on Triple M and/or SEN and it would take off. As many have pointed to, I don't think this is an issue the club really cares about.

Red option plus a royal blue option would cover all bases - can't think of any team we would go close to "clashing" with if we had these two plus our home jumper to choose from. West Coast have done a similar thing for 2017.

That was the same thing I thought DOF. I've thought for quite some years that I've read literally every possible permutation of opinion on this site already know, and everything from now forward is just a repeat. This topic is probably the finest example - EVERY year it's "oh, it's the worst white guernsey ever, even worse than last year. Here are all these great examples that aren't white - let's just pretend it's not a requirement that our clash jumper be white..."

I hope it's leather and comes with matching gimp mask

Don't have anything to do with it gary. not good therapy recovering from depression

Do they come in XXL? Ol wandering hands BBO will need a wider cut as during his enforced absence he has been " emotional binge eating and may need the mid riff " taken out", . These jackets may even add to the quality of his posts. Im sure he won't waste a letter if typing with a kebab stick.

Good post, Vogon. And I agree with you on the bullishness. Understand WJ's caution, as we've all been burned before on the Next Big Thing. Comparisons between players are not necessarily helpful, but your Jayden Hunt reference may be indicative here of where Joel Smith goes this season. I am very, very bullish - he has a lot of football weapons. I don't think there is anything to worry about on this score, based on the brief bits of training I've seen and talking to more regular track-watchers about this particular aspect. Permission to get excited. He stays healthy, he'll be an exciting player over coming seasons, hopefully showing quite a bit next year.

I can see how hard it is to engender any enthusiasm for the draft, as it is pretty meaningless for us.

OMG please don't speak of Newton. You'll set one particular unhinged poster off..........

for sake of clarity this is the work I was just talking of Between the Blue and the Red versions...cant see what else is needed. They both invoke the new Acorn in a fashion whilst paying respect to the MFC logo. They LOOK like proper jumpers not Touristy Souvenirs of Basketball Singlets The White isnt necessary at all IMHO

I'd rather have a cognac and some mince pies ... hang on, are we talking about things we like, or things we don't like?

.. could not agree more.. Nobody seeking to rebuild their reputation (Lyon) or audience ( SEN) should go anyway near James Hird. Seiously at best the man shirked his duty of care to his players - at worst he is a blight on the game OK - so he is articulate- and knows something about footy - but to promote him - and expect your audience to respect his commentary is irrational We'll know your well again Gary when you leave the boy's club behind!

Just received my Demonland merchandise. We need merchandise for this thread.

Already mentioned in the Melbourne Demons (Women's Team) thread, Ralph. But a bit more exposure can't hurt.

Ernest. We know your life story. I suggest you go fishing and let the rest of us worry about the draft and our own mortality.

Tongue in cheek John. Conor McGregor is as tough as he is nuts.

The Women's team have their first official training session on Tuesday at Gosch's Paddock. 6:30pm. LINK I guess they have to train after work since they aren't being paid a living wage. Anyway, I'm thinking of having a look. We'll see. As a bonus it's right around the corner from the Noodle Night Market!

Yes, which team will be the first to utter "we could not believe he was available at our pick" this year? My money is on the Dons with Hugh McCluggage!

Umm Howe is a quality player who is/was chronically under valued around here as a 3rd/4th intercept defender. He had a very good season at Collingwood as that defender and finished in their top 5 in the B and F. We all thought he was a 3rd/4th forward but he was crap in that position and as a result became maligned. I believe we would've been better a side with Howe in 2016 in our back 6. Sounds like Smith could be a Jeremy Howe type defender with his leap and ability to take a mark.

it's only a maybe. let's hope it's a no-way. send sen an email expressing your disgust

As a fairly regular observer at Gosch's training (and a very occasional DL contributor), I've recently moved to Italy and am even more appreciative of the training reports. This current crop is exceptional and the fact that they aren't tainted by the petty vitriol that would often emerge in the past is an added bonus. Thanks lads.

Isn't it obvious he is copying Shane Woewodin and trying to win a Brownlow by attracting the attention of the umps.....

Just remembered on a note about Mitch King, knee recovery progressing well, had him doing half a dozen set shots from 40 out on 45 degree angle, all through the goal post high

So did Jordan Lewis turn up or does he get another week or two off because he played a couple of finals for that shitty club he used to play for?

Half as good as Howe? Yuck.

Great story, Jesse is a fighter.

Missus got me a pair for my bday. Came with an MFC card signed by Jack wishing me a happy birthday

Great news! getting back to work seems to make a massive difference to those with depression. all the best Gaz.

Oh God here we go again. We have to have a basic white and this is ok at least it says MFC. When the team wins 14 games in 2017 I won't care what they are wearing.

New Balance invested a lot in designing the jumpers and shorts with state of the art technology: "On top of its new deal, New Balance has also redeveloped Melbourne’s guernsey to a lightweight performance with patented New Balance dry moisture wicking technology for players’ jumpers and shorts." So it is hard to see NB (or any sponsor) jumping off the Demon bandwagon; especially now when we are on the cusp of success and they can reap the rewards of their loyalty and their investment.

It means, "man who disgraced himself by the bad influence of ignoble people but who was able to redeem himself by leaving them and surrounding himself with wise and upstanding people instead".