Leaderboard

Well I think you're right in terms of who we will select but it says volumes about Goodwin. I didn't bother opening the thread on Goodwin during the season as I suspected it was full of wrist slashing and irrational criticisms of him. But I saw enough references in other threads to confirm my suspicions. But one thing is pretty clear. Goodwin is an outstanding communicator and representative of our Club. Whilst I think his pressers are bland and usually say nothing (a frustration to supporters seeking information but probably a skill in itself) he has been front and centre at attracting players and staff to our club. When interviewed players leaving or joining our Club invariably mention how impressed they are with Goodwin and footy department personnel such as Burgess and Richardson have said similar. He is largely responsible for attracting targetted people to our FD. I know there will be those who question Goodwin after last year but it's pretty clear from what Burgess said (16 of the 22 who played in the PF had post season surgery) that 2019's performance is mainly the result of fitness and injury to players. I think Goodwin is a fantastic coach and we are lucky to have him. Next season will tell us a lot but I'm supremely confident.

The entire team went missing in 2019.

"Despite his overwhelming success"... would love the good people at the Herald Sun to conduct my workplace appraisal. 18th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 16th.

You mean the 2 players that paid for their own personal training camp o/s during the break? ....and the number 2 pick who was spotted training for a couple of hours early on a Saturday morning looking in peak condition with his own personal trainer before the kids took over the ground for cricket? They're both working hard... For some it's better they stay away from the club, do the work & come back refreshed. They're all going to be in each others pockets soon enough.

Blah blah blah

I am a Goodwin fan. The fact that he has been able to play a huge role in bringing in blokes likes of Jordan Lewis, Jake Lever, Steven May, Ed Langdon, Adam Tomlinson and Harley Bennell speaks volume on the guy. Watch the interview with Alan Richardson and he even mention that he was blown away how impressive Goody is with his enthusiasm, dedication and that he was an incredible hard worker. I have spoken to people in the past who have had dealings with him in the past and all said the same thing in terms of that you couldn't find a more impressive and dedicated individual who has a sense of real care and compassion for his players.

If you can go along to training and give reports, show photos, maybe you could have a swipe until then button it.

Will be interesting to see who does come back early, I know they don’t need to but it does make a bit of a statement if they do

Should have set off alarm bells when Petracca picked the jelly and then asked for seconds.

Terrific interview. Lyon and Watson obviously respect him. One take away is his comment about pre season surgery and rehab and the impact on fitness - you can never catch up in season. Also interesting he noted that of the 18 post season surgeries 16 were to players in our best 22. 16. As guru bob might say. Think about that.

Mate, it’s not rocket science. The draftees enter the interview process armed with carefully crafted and rehearsed answers to the standard lineup of questions. The “weird” questions are purely designed to “throw” the kids off their game, make them think laterally and begin to reveal their true personalities. It’s all about getting honest answers to the later questions. The immediate answers to the weird questions are not taken into account one iota.

There's nowhere to go for a run overseas? They've all got programs from Burgess they're doing.

Maybe, maybe not. As I wrote the word 'intent' I remembered how Steve Waugh used it to motivate his team at the start of his captaincy, one of the most successful for the baggy green in the modern era. Each and every player went onto the field 'with intent' regardless of how they felt in the moment. Over time that became a psychological advantage for the baggy greens. I would love to see our guys train and then play 'with intent' every game: intent to tackle, intent to chase, intent to compete etc from which real and inferred pressure will (I hope) be created. I've concluded that your field is psychology so take it easy on this mere mortal, amateur who knows only a little about motivation of teams.

Gallery's up. Looks like a good turnout. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-11-08/training-gallery-november-8

Looks like vanders in 1 of those drills holding the bag, geez I hope he gets a good run at it

Hang on, didn't the AFL appoint Peter Jackson for us and then back up the cash truck so we could get Roos? Also, Carlton with their apparent fantastic rebuild have finished 18th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 16th over the last 5 years. Melbourne have gone 13th, 11th, 9th, 4th and of course 17th. To imply Carlton have done it better is to ignore facts as they stand and to make a prediction based on opinion, not a statement based on tangible evidence. Seems you might be riding the 'Teague train' a bit too hard DS.

I would not be taking him in the teens or 2nd round Living in WA I've seen plenty of potential young indigenous forwards like him. Room for improvement and could end up the real deal, but not in the Elijah Taylor or Liam Henry class

The problem is not spending the cap, it is telling our players we can only pay them so much, because of the cap and then offering a large amount to a player from another club. That breeds mistrust and disharmony.

Interview just now on SEN

Why worry about the price tag? We have a min cap that has to be paid. If there's space, I'm all for it. The cap can be reshuffled in 12 mths tome to accommodate new contracts with others. I don't know why posters are concerned with contract amounts when we have no real idea of our position. Having said that, I still think he's off to the Blues.

From a seventeen year old future football star I'd be happy if they could grunt the words 'I like football and girls'. The rest we can work on over the years.

Good stuff, RN. A classy response. I’m happy that you’re excited about the draft and I (and many others) genuinely appreciate the information you bring into these threads. The absence of uncertainty is just a bit of a bugbear of mine (and obviously old55 too). I hope that you continue posting frequently in the lead up to, and after, the draft, as it’s clear that you are obviously doing a lot of research on the kids and that makes Demonland a better forum. ?

The only statement I need to see LH is a win in round 1.

Make a Martin think we will draft him, force him to increase salary demands and pass

Where's Oli ...gonna love seeing this contested stuff

Won't be leaving soon, after our great season in 2020.

He took on a bunch of the GWS players he didn’t want to absorb list spots or salary to get the ones he did want - Marchbank, Setterfield, Kennedy, Plowman - at a discount price. Top 10 picks for 2nd rounders. Shifted out the right players in Yarran, Henderson, Tuohy. Drafted a heap of talent in Curnow, McKay, Weitering, Walsh, Fisher, O’Brien, SPS, Stocker etc. Apart from possibly a bad miss with Dow I’d say he’s done a heck of a job. Especially once they land Martin. The best example since GWS and then maybe going back to Hawthorn before that of the complete rebuild. It will undoubtedly pay dividends over the next 5 years. I’m convinced of it. Unfortunately we stuffed up the rebuild twice so had to bring in Roos who traded away a bunch of high picks for instant starters in Tyson, Vince, Hibberd and Melksham and we didn’t assemble the right depth of youth. We’ve had to pay big money for key defenders, we’ve been found severely wanting in midfield run and we aren’t sorted with forward line talent either.

Even if he was 'just a half-back flanker' - an elite half back is an absolutely essential element in a premiership team. Kid's a gun.

A little while ago, I referred to Big Footy’s Pie4Life and his power rating chart. He has recently updated and expanded it to his top 60:-

Well said BB & DD, I agree and I'm a Goodwin fan. Still learning and IMO he would have learnt more about himself and the list this season than in his previous 2

Any houses fallen over yet?

Flemington Race 7, No3 Admirals Joker (w)

Flemington Race 3 No.3 - Knickpoint $2.10 Win

Best Bet Flemington Saturday Race 4 No.5 True Self $2.10 Win Having a break after this Saturday fellas. Back for the Autumn unless something pops up over the Perth Carnival. It’s been heaps of fun guys, good luck to all this weekend. Thanks Macca for all your effort on this thread with replays and latest news/results from overseas racing. Much appreciated.

We need to get this bloke back playing, as he was a very good player a few years ago.

I remember when a significant portion of draft watchers on here wanted us to take Jayden Laverde because of his electric highlights package. Similarly, most here thought Parish was a can't miss prospect and were upset when we drafted a fat ranga at pick 3 instead of him. I love the draft. I love picking my favourites. But let's not pretend we have a clue how any of these guys will go, especially if you're forming strong opinions off highlights packages.

How about, 'I like swimming pools and [censored]'?

Best Bet: Sat Flemington Race 8 No 9 Loving Gaby $8.00

Him too.

Interesting on SEN this morning Caleb Serong was interviewed. When asked who out of all the coaches had impressed him the most at draft camp he said Simon Goodwin. Don't think we read too much into it, but i thought that was interesting.

Anybody can have an opinion, but some are worth more than others. Would you listen to Madonna’s opinion on Australian monetary policy? Or my opinion on pet fashion trends? In my opinion, the Dunning-Kruger curve is excellent.

Not sure if there's anything stopping Freo trading 10 for Gold Coast's 2020 mid first round priority pick and pick 20, using 20 and later picks to match the Henry bid, then trading Gold Coast's future mid draft first with another club for a pick around the 15-20 mark to use on draft night. Instead of using 2 clubs to rig the system clubs will just have to use 3 or 4. At the end of the day academy players are still going to come incredibly cheaply as clubs slide as far down the order as they can to match a bid and trade back in to maintain a nice draft pick. The only incentive to get Freo to trade up with us for pick 3 or pick 7 is that it will delay the Henry bid by at least another pick. It's far more likely they just plan contingency trades based on moving down the order.

But isn't the AFL article today saying that they can do this shuffling? I reckon the 5 minute switcheroo shouldn't be permitted. Once a player is bid upon, match it or don't.

I like my car's to have a bit of grunt and nothing got close in my price range. Also think they are under rated. All of a sudden is not cool to own a Holden. But my black beauty goes well and rocks my boat when I look at it the drive way.

I have wondered the same tging, but i think you are exactly right. They rolled the dice with the possible reward a flag. As the doggies and tigers showed you need to take your chance if it presents. The right move I reckon.

You can say that again, wish I could afford one but a bit out of my league. Just bought a Holden instead, no gain for the club but sadly that was my budget.

No, your comment just belies a certain ignorance. Not everybody who takes drugs is an out-of-control sports-idiot. I’ve known many wonderful and inspiring people who aren’t afraid or ashamed to pepper their brief time on earth, with pleasurable, illuminating and enlightening moments spent in altered states. As a professional musician, I can assure you that if it weren’t for drugs your favourite band would sound very different or most likely not exist at all. I shudder to think who they might be though.

He sounds like a super knowledgable but personable guy. He was really positive about the mind set of the boys. Said they were very focused and determined. Players he hadnt met yet calling him from overseas to ask about preparation. Also said only 2 or 3 would be starting late due to surgery this year as opposed to 16-17 last year. A good listen.

I don't know why his preference is relevant