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I haven't been a fan of Goody for awhile now, but I'm backing him in for top 4 thanks to his new supporting cast.

Of Coarse Simon is under pressure isn.t the coach the first on the chopping block? IMO the list is there and we have the right mix now I am expecting some favourable results in 2021. A 4 year plan with 1 Premiership ? After what we have been through since 64 l would take that. Beggars can't be chooses. The arrow is straightened and aiming for the bulls eye. Don't miss Goody.

Why? Surely many coaches improve in all sorts of ways, including game day coaching, as they gain experience. Goody has made a point about being a life time learner so I can't see why he can't improve his coaching.

I think an important variable is how much goody, if at all, improves as a coach. Much harder to gauge improvement of a coach than a player as so much of their work is largely unseen by fans and the kpis are less black and white (other than wins of course - but how much is on field success down to the players and how much the coach - an age old question).

On Tuesday the Demons coach accepted the comments placed more pressure on him, and said he would listen to what was said. “I’ve spoken to Glen at length and he’s had nothing but support for myself,” Goodwin said. “I was employed to lead this footy club with a clear strategy to lead us to our next premiership and I’m still very confident we will be able to do that. “If those comments put pressure on me then I’ve got to accept that and I take responsibility for our performance. Demons coach Simon Goodwin admits he’s under pressure but privately has been given ‘nothing but support’ Rubbish to suggest pressure only comes from the media.

It is doubtful that Goodwin will get the team to a GF. However, I have far more confidence that a combination of Williams, Yze and Jordan Lewis could do it in a stride - a unique coaching structure if we are innovatively hungry for a flag, not just a paycheque and a series of apologetic excuses (oops, and a new Jaguar for the elitist mental brick wall).

To be fair I think the pressure is there from the board and management. There is no doubt though that the hyenas in the media will jump all over it at any chance they get.

They will only feel pressure if they take any notice of the outside drivel from the media clowns.

No where to hide rjay. Had better give off to a reasonable start or the knives will come quickly.

This is essentially where I sit. I lost the faith throughout 2020, but I'll reserve final judgement until 2021.

He should be very worried, all his supporters have now left the club and he has a list capable of being in the top four. I doubt he will get them there. Best under him will be 7-8.

This is probably one for some of us more mature Demons-but what are your memories of players skilled and proficient with drop kicks.? I have wonderful memories of the great Tassie Johnson kicking out from goal and consistently landing them around the centre circle. And the roving Ian Ridley seems to relish the drop kick as well. I have a feeling Trevor Johnson maybe?? Keen to hear others memories. With other clubs, I remember Billy Barrot for Richmond and perhaps Fred Swift at Full back and Geelong CHB named Walker?

Of course he's under the pump. Should've made finals in 2020 and lost two games to bottom of the ladder sides when it counted as well as getting off to a poor start due to being stubborn with player selection. If the team has a poor start to the season he will be struggling to keep.gis job by Queens Birthday and if we miss finals he's gone.

Good topic for this time of the year. We could augment it by trying to track the most recent drop kick deployed in a game. I recall Bill Nettlefold gleefully kicking one in what I think was his final game for the Dees in 1982 at the MCG. It was probably in the reserves curtain raiser.

My problem with Goodwin is his match day performance. For 3 years now we have seen him out coached during a game. I don't expect this to change.

Most people forget that Hardwick was without a premiership after 7 years and very little finals but year 8 after recruitment of good players the worm turned and he has won 3 of the last 4. I think that when his defensive coach arrived Justin Leppitsch they became a force, limiting opponents to a losing score. I have a feeling Troy Chaplin is our defencive coach and has taken over from Rawlings and we have improved in that area with Lever and May which makes winning easier when you don't have to kick 100 points+ to win.

There should always be questions asked by the board of any sporting club if all is not going to plan, doesn't mean they are pressurizing anyone, Goodwin and the coaching staff know exactly where they stand and I doubt he will be in panic mode all year.

The table was chopped up for firewood.

I'm married to a Wong, mate, and have Wongy kids, so shove that lazy thinking where it fits.

Sorry, jnrmac, on the day the Demons capitulated a final final's chance in Geelong at the end of 2016 I saw Weidemann take 6 pack marks in a game against Box Hill. He had six goals up by half time.The lad can mark. It's about confidence, and, unfortunately, in our case, [censored] delivery.

Sometimes it is in his head and not skill based. Getting confidence could be a big step towards clunking them. He is quite intelligent and reflective. He knows the problem he has of not being clean. Acknowledgement is a first step to change. He mentioned the marking and fear of the big boys to me in his first year on the paddock (just a passing comment which did surprise me). His body is stronger now and he appears ready to impose himself. He is clean at ground level. Hoping he can do the aerial thing as well, and 2021 is his year.

Thank you Debra and the Brayshaws plus all the other host families and player sponsors for the Dees. A most underrated and valuable resource which must give much comfort to all Footballers families and faith in our Club. Well done Dees !!

Raised four boys and now looking after three more footballers? Australian of the Year!!

I have gone out on a limb and predicted Tom as the MFC most improved player in 2021.

As long as he's not offering elocution lessons I can't see it doing any harm.

LATEST LIST HERE: 19 November 2021 Update for the Petty and Fritsch contract extensions. The Petty extension is until 2025 when he will be an RFA. At the end of Fritsch's contract in 2026 he will be an FA. No change to our list or draft position since the last update. This has been an amazingly small list turnover, almost all 'forced' changes: Jones and Jetta retired, Vandenberg going on to a new career, Nietschke had a long term injury, Bradtke (I think) had no more years left as a rookie. So only true delisting were one from the senior list (Hore) and two from the rookie list (Lockhart and Declase). A very stable list, one which just won a Premiership!

An article on the AFL site today list who they think is the best midfielder for each club so far in the 21st century. They listed Nathan Jones as ours...personally I think it's Clayton Oliver. Nathan gets votes for longevity but Clayton is an AA mid and has also been consistently good which to me gives him the points. Nathan Jones (286 games from 2006-present) Some Demons had greater highs – think Clayton Oliver, Adem Yze, Cameron Bruce, Brownlow medallist Shane Woewodin or Travis Johnstone – but none performed as consistently or purely as a midfielder for longer than Jones. He's a triple Keith 'Bluey' Truscott medallist, a former club captain and could pass David Neitz next year as Melbourne's most-capped player. Jones was the most dependable Dee through the club's dark era that they only emerged from in recent seasons. Oliver will inherit this mantle but has played only 83 games. The other contender was James McDonald, another tireless worker who played 251 times for Melbourne, won two best and fairests and was an All-Australian in 2006. - Marc McGowan

MFC predictions Ladder position at the end of the H&A season: 2 Position at the end of the season (e.g. stage of finals): 1 B&F top 5 (1 point for correct inclusion, 1 point for correct place): 1. Trac 2. Gawn 3. Tomlinson 4. Harmes 5. Oliver Leading goalkicker: Bailey of the Fritsch variety Most marks: Hore Best first year player: Rosman Most improved player: Adam Tomlinson All Australian 40-man squad selections (1 point each): Trac, Gawn, Tomlinson, Harmes, Oliver, Langdon, Viney, May, Brown, Fritsch, Hore All Australian final 22 selections (1 point each): Trac, Gawn, Harmes, May, Fritsch, Tomlinson, Oliver Big Ben Brown will kick his biggest goal tally against: Hawthorn (who having no key defender of league standard available try an undersized James Sicily as their first option. However after Brown has 6 goals to his name by half time, make the switch to tall fellow Ben McEvoy, but who lacks the mobility and pace to stay with Brown on the lead. Just before 3/4 time, with Brown on 12 goals, a frustrated McEvoy gets nasty and attempts an Al Clackson special, drawing in Steven May who parked at CHF for the loose kick out promptly closes in and puts McEvoy on his [censored] with a powerful shove (like swatting a fly) and stands over McEvoy in a menacing manner. After 3/4 time with Fred Fanning's record looking under threat, Clarkson concedes the ruck and switches Ceglar onto Brown, but to no avail as the Melbourne team, having wiped out 186 and absent Ceglar in the ruck put on a Harlem Globetrotters like performance and now turn their intent to helping Brown surpass Fanning's record, with him ultimately finishing on 21 goals for the game, (which also incidently exceeds the total number of goals kicked by Hawthorn in the season to that point). Biggest winning margin (exact guess is 5 points, within 1 point margin is 4 points etc): 204 points Vs Hawthorn Biggest MFC story of the year (5 points): Asides from rewriting the record books Vs Hawthorn, the return to longer quarters and reduced interchange has the footy world in awe of the depth, endurance and toughness of the MFC midfeild, which has many drawing comparisons to the great Brisbane Lions teams of the early 2000s. Other MFC predictions (1 point each): James Harmes's partner to have a baby boy and name it Jon. AFL predictions Premier: Melbourne Runner-up: Bulldogs Wooden spoon: Hawthorn Biggest improver: Melbourne Biggest slider: Brisbane Brownlow medal: Patracca Coleman medal: Cameron Rising star: Hollands

Can only be a good thing for Sam. I think he’s got the talent to become a really good forward for us, not in the category of Neitz but someone who can kick upwards of 40 goals a year most years. There was one game this year (which I think we actually lost) where he was doing things that I really want him to focus on for the rest of his career and it’s simply being a presence. He has to be able to make an impact even if he’s not kicking goals or taking marks. Would love to say 12 months from now that Brown has been the catalyst to Sam being forward to be feared in the competition.

We'll be fine. Our biggest difficulty is remaining diplomatic with China. We don't need direct foreign investment and we don't need other countries. We are incredibly well resourced. We are a lucky country. We need to ensure full employment and a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and tech over the next 10 to 20 years or we're done. It takes political leadership. I don't see it at a federal level currently.

Malcolm Blight did alright.

This, x10000 We have had 4 'Forward' coaches (potentially more) in his time at the club and not a SINGLE one of them, was ever a pure forward. The club has let him and others down in this facet.

Separation from op and running patterns would be fairly essential tools in a key forward's kit bag. It beggars belief that going into his 7th year the club has not provided this (or if it has, not sufficiently) and he feels he needs to seek it out for himself. He said in another interview that he was trying to learn what to do from Steven May which has some merit but not a substitute for good coaching. It all makes me wonder if we had a development plan for Sam or it has been left to chance. One could be forgiven for thinking his development has been collateral damage of not having an experienced forward coach nor a consistent one for most of his time at the club. Its hard to develop confidence if you aren't very sure on what to do or how to do it. Hopefully, this is a turning point for him. And hopefully, his up field teammates learn what Sam's running patterns will be so they can anticipate ball placement.

Clayton Oliver by quite a way...

Welcome to the world of accounting....unless you see the actual book entries, you will never see the whole story. It will never be in the accounts, but the possible advantages could be: * rental at less than market rates for the administration offices. * financial support directly from the MCC, but this would be hard to find in their accounts as well * utilities costs? * provision of superbox at the MCG, at cost? * advertising material inserted into MCC membership renewals The pity is that the MCC has not provided enough to the MFC through its 160+ years of existence. We don't have a training base because the MCC only rented places like the Junction oval instead of putting up the money for a permanent facility. Ground advertising went to the MCC for MFC home games for years. Perhaps they can be "encouraged" to contribute to a future training and home base facility.

For goodness sake. You're either wet behind the ears or simply ignorant. It's not about "football departments". Do you have any basic understanding of the differences, responsibilities and roles of the AFL club board members versus the quite separate responsibilities of the football department? Your reply clearly demonstrates that you don't. And yes, I'm happy with Brad on the board and Brown assisting our forwards if that eventuates.

Brown was never going to be on the Board of the MFC. One of the more bizarre suggestions I've ever heard. I'm not sure many understand the varieties of skill-sets required to cover the board members responsibilities. And we now have Brad Green in place to cover the footy experience and knowledge portfolio. Brown would have been a fish out of water and lasted one term. Best not. Happy to see Brown in a support role with the forwards perhaps as a part-time assistant. He would be a great asset.

There is considerable financial benefit - not my place to talk to the detail but can guarantee that the Club is much better off being a sporting section that not being one.

The issue I have with Brown and Weid is about fit. 2 big talls who don’t offer a lot of possessions and defensive effort. Jackson complements either of them individually. But alone they have value. Brown’s value is obvious as a 60 goal forward. Weid’s 2020 apart from Cairns he crashed packs, kicked goals at a decent clip and took strong marks. He was a solid afl player and the best and fairest reflected that, with a couple more touches he’d be a very good afl player. After that it’s a matter of fit with Brown as above.

Compare that to the other clubs... Judd, Black, Hird, Fyfe, Ablett, Dusty, Cousins, Harvey, Pendlebury.,, Thank god we have Trac and Oliver coming through.

Slim pickings.

I think positioning and not getting enough easy ball are far bigger problems for Weid than toughness or presence. The lack of reliable second option meant he had to be up the ground, and the game plan to get goal side for long bombs to the square left him sprinting deep. The Jackson - Weid combo worked briefly before Jacko went down. Personally I’d rather stick with that but the Brown-Weid combo should be able to produce similar results. But part of that is Weid finding easy ball when he’s up the ground or even leading inside 50. Add a couple of uncontested marks each game and another half a goal a week and he’s right up with the best forwards.

Prime example would be David Neitz. I reckon in the 2nd half of his career he turned his training mentality to become one of the aggressive power forwards of the game. Would crash packs and go in to bat for his teammates. Russell Robertson and Jeff Farmer have been on record to say they always walked taller when big Neita was around the area. Weid lacks that. In fact I doubt there would be any defenders in the league that fear playing on him. Weideman is a nice fella, but its time to get some ruthless and aggression in his game if he needs to take the next step forward.

Good positive move by the Club.

You can't teach tough.

I feel that despite his foot and agility issues we are better off for having Tom on the List, he can provide back up in the back line forward line and ruck and who knows he may have to earn his keep in all three roles going into 2021 and beyond. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kobe Farmer to kick the winning goal in the GF. I'll dodge the point system if that comes home.

Losing a GF to Jeelong!!! F#%^k off...

Fell for a Facebook quiz where a screen full of alphabet soup is displayed. First three words you “ see” meant to define your 2021. WIN CUP ALL