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How true that is, on both counts. Jeff's other major problem is that the game has changed. And that is why he needs to become the footballer he NEVER has been. Clubs changed their defensive structures last year, and the small "out the back" type players ( Garlett, Puopolo, Betts, Rohan etc) dropped off with their goal output. So unless these players bring a defensive side to the game, in the same manner as Rioli ( RIchmond) and Butler( Richmond) there is no role for them to play. Betts and Puopolo have a regular slot in their sides. No defensive side....Rohan traded, Menzel traded, Garlett VFL.

boy there is some negativity here no one in the VFL side last year took his place and everyone knew it was up for grabs. Let's see if one of them can take it this year. Personally I think his dedication etc is what we have been missing for twenty odd years if not more.

Some really crap comments in this thread. 4 time Premiership player who wants to give it his all to get a 5th Cup at a 2nd Club The exact attitude we need to cultivate thankyou Mr. Lewis

I hate to admit this, but my missus yelled to me that NP was just on Ch 9 on the Ellen show in the US promoting her Aust visit. She was bragging about going to watch the Dees train and that she was now a Demons fan. They showed pics of her donning the 'jersey', with Goody and others. She was very enthusiastic. Talked about it for 3 or 4 mins. Anyone still think this hasn't been a very successful promotion for the club? Got great exposure locally and now a short segment on popular US TV. Our sponsors will wee their pants after seeing this.

Just goes to show that every player has their failings and strengths. Lewis is a four time premiership player and still has the occational moment when he looks like a complete unco. Pitty the average player in a poor side that suffers the same fate. So many observers are prepared to write off players, based on one or two moments in a game and ignore/be ignorant to the complete package. Jack Fitzpatrick, Lynden Dunn and probably many others have suffered this fate in the past (even absolute guns like T Mac have copped this kind of flack). As a MFC supporter I've certainly seen Lewy crap himself and fumble the heck out of it on a number of occations, but also seen him do some brilliant stuff, show the sort of leadership that has undoubtedly won us games in the past few years. I hope the twilight years of his career are the best and most dignifying that he has spent as an AFL footballer (wearing red and blue, compared to poo brown and yellow is a good start). I'd love it, to turn out that we had written off this guy as a has been prematurely and for him to pull out a rip snorter of a season.

Height matters little if you can't mark or convert into goals or aren't strong enough to out-muscle an opponent whether you are forward or back. A slightly shorter player might be stronger and have a better leap or be more mobile or have more endurance. Pure height is not necessarily an advantage.

I would have thought the link between numbers of players' of a certain height and a measure of success is likely to be tenuous. However, I note that there are six teams with 3 or fewer players over 200 cm. Four of those teams have won the last four Premierships. The other two teams have recently played in Preliminary finals. If there is a link (which I still doubt) I'll guess that it's because the teams with four or more 200+ cm players have more of that height on their list than they need because they're not happy with what they've got and are still trying to find the right 200+ cm players.

Yes im the same, hes been great. Hes has played many great games for the club. Show me 1 other player thats not infalable at some time? Its also what hes bought to the club respect and leadership. At the time he came, we were screaming for leaders, when a few others who we thought were going to turn out be leaders, ala JH, really didnt pan out that way. Ill support him until its time.

Why put down that kind of endeavor? I love it that this guy is near the end, still fighting and not wanting to give it up. We seem to have please of good young talent all of a sudden, which is good, but I think it's equally good that our young guys both have to fight for a spot in the side, at the same time as benifiting from the experience and leadership that a guy like Lewis brings to the table. You can have experience around the place in a non playing capacity, but at the end of the day, I don't think it's the same. Whilst I'm somewhat disappointed that Bernie didn't go out in a blaze of glory, I think he was still a more than worthy contributor for the vast majority of game he played this year and that he had earned a leave pass over the years for the few he might have under performed in. Still such a thing as respect in football and whilst the talks that we will treat Lewis like any first year rookie, the reality is that he isn't and we will treat him accordingly.

Saints, Broncos, Rams.. Until its mathematically impossible for me to win this I'm dreaming of an '87-esque finals run

I think we end up at the same point in this, but I don't see it as arrogance. I just see it as an excellent footballer who is getting old and can't physically do the things he's been able to do before. It happens to a lot of footballers as they get old as they still have the competitiveness but can't do it physically like they used to so they play closer to 'the line' to make up for what they now lack. Letting go is hard, so sometimes you just do whatever you can to hang on. I think that this is what Lewis is doing (and Bernie too, to an extent). I certainly know that as my body slowed down my mouth sped up!

I'll be there with Camera in hand.

To steal from Denis Cometti, it looks like they travelled alphabetically.

Melbourne vs Essendon in the Grand Final. Payback for 2000 is coming.

Sincerely hope he can't get a game next season.

Depends on whether the game is played in the air or on the ground. Until weagles won, I cannot recall the last time a strong marking team full of talls won the GF. Given that we do not have a phalanx of marking talls, then we should play play a ground game that matches our strengths and has been shown to be successful. Maxie and Brayden are big enough to scare most teams even those with lots of 200+ strugglers. 2020 Go dees.

All the new recruits will be missing plus Gawn and Jones, back on Monday

The six foot running midfielder was a few years back picked to be the player of the future. It doesn't seem to have panned out that way. Others may have better theories but I suspect the pace of the game is all about running to space which can be done by players of any height. Similarly the ability to run and spoil can be achieved by shorter players. Interesting discussion.

depends what position you use in my experience.

After the lead up to sandpaper gate and the event itself I have lost interest in the Aust Cricket team. Arrogant bunch of overpaid sports people who would not know the real world if it bit them on the [censored]. More than Happy for India to win the series. For different reasons but they have fallen into the "cycling " twilight zone for me.

With a little good fortune, he should recover from a scar scrape within 10 days and still be able to carry on with upper body, abdominals and other specific work. He could be running to some extent in the next few days; in full training by the end of next week, as well. We must wish him well for this rate of ongoing recovery in preparation for the season ahead. He is a terrific asset for the MFC and he must be champing at the bit, himself, to return.

The more on-field success we have, the easier this becomes. Win a flag or 2 and watch our membership skyrocket. Then we need to avoid becoming a basket case again to hold onto those new members. For many, winning IS everything. Pinch a flag next year and watch our number go through the roof. We win a flag next year and every Cat, Dog, Ferret and Goldfish in my family is getting a membership for Christmas.

Fair enough Saty. The problem is that JG has history, has form, has a footy CV. Im sure we all hope that he has a terrific year because JG at his best is good for the team. However he will have to become the footballer he’s never been .....consistent over the whole season. He has to bring consistency in attitude and application. In short become the footballer he has promised to be but never has. But he’s back, apparently fit and displaying a good attitude. He needs to be as he is playing for his career. He will need to be showing form early so he gets selection. If he starts at Casey and can’t crack the Seniors, I suspect his form and interest will go out the window and it will be all over red rover. I hope he surprises us all.

Totally agree. A great first year playing out of his comfort zone down back. Can't wait to see him wing or half forward. Reminds me so much of a Brad Greene

Good to see Lewis has a similar attitude to Bernie's from last year.

If I'm not mistaken, Fritta has been near the front in many of the running drill pics that I've seen this pre season. I don't remember that of him last year, and if he has added that string to his bow, he will be a weapon and a half on the wing.

Would hope players should do that every year.

It’s interesting the flack this guy cops like he is the next CS. The guy had a huge tenure at the biggest footy club in the country. He’s clearly no nuffy. Collingwood needed a scape goat if they weren’t going to boot Buckley.

I doubt any coach would say that in December about a player who clearly wasn't in 2018. And if they did it was to probably shut up an annoyance as they tried to go about their work.

Unless the players are literally using their head to do something, their listed height isn’t that relevant.. Different sport, but I’m 185cm with short arms for my height and I got toweled up on rebounding last night by a guy who was probably 175cm tall but with good strength, judgement, aggression and better athleticism than me. I also suspect he had long arms for his height. In summary, where the top of your head finishes is pretty irrelevant and an unsophisticated measure. I’d prefer they listed height of where the fingers are with an arm straight up is far more relevant as it takes into account shoulder position and arm length and better represents something useful on the field.

Not good enough, Werribee!! Kindly get your priorities straight, and move the appointment to a date/time where it does not clash with training! A little higher level commitment is expected if we are gonna succeed in 2019!!

I have been a harsh critic and still am of Lewis but he was much better last year than I expected. But calling him an "ultimate professional" is the sort of statement that turns my stomach. He is grossly undisciplined on field probably costing us a finals position in his first year because for some unknown reason he decked Cripps 30 meters off the ball causing him to miss 3 weeks including a 4 point loss to Freo. Last year he followed up by giving away a 50m penalty against Geelong in the first game costing a goal and the game. Why? Arguing with the umpire. This is not "ultimate professional" behaviour. This is undisciplined arrogance. He is an enigma because he does a lot right but also has glaring weaknesses. It will be interesting to see when the footy department think the benefits no longer outweigh the weaknesses.

Geez I liked Melbourne 20 years ago. Less congestion, could afford a decent house, less crime, less traffic. Is Adelaide really that good? I’ll have to visit.

Lord Travis, you will find there is a group of posters here that don't want to believe its possible that we miss manage injuries and the communication of them ... the usual line is to say you are not a medical expert. Its fair to say none of us are experts on any of the other inner working of the club either but we still post about them. Our track record is poor and many are in denial. Understand we were reviewing the sports science team (Peter Jackson indicated a while ago) but nothing appears to have come if it.

Here comes my run to VICTORY!!!

Won't hurt as much when he can't keep his feet and goes to ground

What is he 23 or 24 & now having his 3rd knee surgery. Not looking good

Watch NP in 'Closer' - hoo wee!

Bring on Michael Long.

Done, ?

I really like Pert and I think he will surprise many. Following in PJ's footsteps was always going to be a tough gig no matter who got the job. Proof will be in the pudding. I think we need to give him time to put runs on the board before he gets tarred and feathered or compared to his predecessor who effectively saved the club by turning them around from laughing stock to genuine contender.

On face value an impressive interview. He has a clear view of his role and his priorities are to grow the club and get the new facilities in place. Seems to have worked hard to engage existing managers and stakeholders. Time will tell how it works out but if he achieves those goals, I won't get too hung up on the odd issue that might arise.

Approaching the home turn in the comp Gorgoroth (3) HALL DeeSpencer (6) Dee Zephyr (4) titan_uranus (3) OF Dr. Gonzo (6) layzie (5) Clintosaurus (4) Macca (3) FAME JV7 (6) Dappa Dan (5) Go the Biff (4) Demon Dave (2) Latest Approximates 9-2 DeeSpencer 5-1 JV7 11-2 Dr. Gonzo 6-1 layzie, Dappa Dan, Dee Zephyr 7-1 Clintosaurus, Go the Biff 9-1 Gorgoroth, titan_uranus 12-1 Demon Dave, Macca

@Colin B. Flaubert - My consternation over the Pert appointment was the process which I have heard (outside of Caroline Wilson’s word) was old Melbourne; rushed, the board not fully supportive, the AFL blind sided. I am most definitely supportive of the club and hope he does well, but I hate that Bartlett has allowed even the perception of this kind of amateurish behaviour with one of the most important decisions a club can make.

That would effectively be a 6 year contract from now... Gotta be irresponsible, surely...