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Some of the commentary on here is genuinely unbelievable. You'd think we'd used pick 1 in the draft on Daw. He's training with the club to see if he's capable of taking a spot on our list that only exists because the options we actually wanted to go with (B Brown, Weideman and Hore) are injured. If he gets the list spot, he'll cost close to nothing. If he doesn't cut it at AFL level, he'll play VFL, and we're back where we started yesterday, which is a list with B Brown, Weideman and Hore injured. I'm happy to discuss if there are other key position players not currently on an AFL list who would be ready to play AFL football in the first 4-6 rounds while we wait for B Brown and Weideman to recover. Not surprisingly, there have been very few (if any?) such other players suggested as better options.

Steam is coming out of my ears at the bold bit. Lockdown 3.0: Panic, over-reaction, distressing, destabilising and unnecessary! If our quarantine management and contract tracing were really effective we wouldn't need a state-wide lockdown. Other states seem to manage it and are able to lockdown parts of the city - not the whole state. There will be other cases - we can't lock down the state or shut borders every time a case pops up. Get the processes right, Dan! I fear this post will set off derailing of the thread but need to let off the steam!

Classic DL thread. The usuals pot the club like they do with everything else, and a few see it for what it is - a training invitation. I like it - Majak is a role player with occasional glimpses of better, nothing more. He would be well down the options from week to week and not costing much in $$$.

The strategy is sound. We're down our 2 first choice KPFs so we're going to use our back-ups Jackson and TMac. They also happen to be a big part of ruck back-up plan too. I could name a workable 22 with just B.Brown and Weid out, but if Jackson, TMac or Max get injured too, then we're M.Brown away from playing short. Coverage for the first 6 weeks also makes sense - we need to get off to a solid start in a season we are aiming to go deep into finals. We've got 3 list vacancies so we can afford to use one. We've got Weid, Petty, Jackson and Bradtke as developing talls - we don't need to add another one, we need someone ready to go Round 1 in any one of multiple roles. Daw makes perfect sense because he can play ruck, forward or back at a reasonable level and is ready to go Round 1.

I've thought long and hard before deciding to post on this and thinking through the various views. I almost posted late last year suggesting we could look at Majak Daw when we made the move on Preuss and Majak was delisted.last year I understand where people are coming from on this but in my view is that being delisted from a club is not an automatic stamping a players papers that that should not ever play AFL again. Clubs delist groups of players both collectively when refreshing and rebuilding lists and individually depending on circumstances including form, team balance ,injury potential etc.-each year and each case has its own individual characteristics and variables. North made its list clean out last year for its own reasons. I'm not sure being delisted is a statement on whether a player has a future in AFL or not. They may well still have a place in another club where they are just what the club needs. Others will disagree but I feel more comfortable having him on the list than not. With the injuries we already have in the talls department, we are only a match incident away from major deficiencies in our team... and we are relying on Petty, Joel Smith and others to be injury free and contributing-this is not guaranteed. Petty has been out for a long time-though I think he has massive potential to lift us if fit and on the park. Whatever you believe about our coaching situation in the past, I feel we are much better placed in that area this year-especially in game plans and getting the best out of our list. Majak has shown he has ability to be a really good contributor-those video clips show that. Its more the consistency and other factors like injury that might be challenges. But if he is happier at Melbourne than at North last year, who knows what could happen. We do need strong types to take on the hulk and bulk of clubs like West Coast, Geelong and Richmond. Thats my pennies worth-(but am happy to go decimal if need be and make it two cents worth. :)

Richardson on Luke Jackson on SEN today "It's as if he hasn't read the book on how to be a tall player. "He rates tackle, groundball, chase etcetera as highly as he does marking. It's like we have another onballer."

We'd be officially drowning if any of several key position players went down after Weed and BB, and some here are saying no to a life raft. Very strange. Can't really think of a better option to address our recent need for KP backup. Good move.

i can't see any connection whatsoever between kozzie's absence and kobe's potential rookie signing if kobe is signed up i would have no expectation of him playing seniors in 2021.

My condolences to Kossie and his Family for the loss of his mother. May she rest in peace. Hope all goes well for Kossie and l am sure the MFC are being supportive. Our thoughts are with you.

Dwayne-pipe just embarrassing himself on SEN, saying it’s worrying that Melbourne’s bringing in Majak, after bringing in Mitch Brown and Ben Brown over the summer, and why not play Luke Jackson and Weideman. Face palm....

Why not? Being dropped by North is no measure of his worth. They are a penniless basketcase who had to off load players to save the sinking ship in desperation. After what Majak has been through I think it's great MFC have offered him a lifeline. If nothing comes of it, then so be it. He goes to play with his brother and Brent Harvey at North Heidelberg, which I'm sure he will be happy with as well. For what it's worth I thought the photo of a smiling Majak wearing the Melbourne colours in the practice match last year conveys the joy he felt playing footy again. Whatever happens I wish him well for 2021.

I have a feeling Mark Williams is going to be very beneficial to the MFC. Players we haven’t thought about might just step up. Those young kids will play for “Mark” and then realize they can compete at the top level. We all remember the good teachers....

No, go right ahead. I thought you just might have some idea of a better alternative and that's how you decided it's a "bad call". Have a listen to the Alan Richardson SEN interview, he said they looked at many options and decided Majak is the most suitable one for our needs.

Thanks @dazzledavey36, did he clarify which year?

Are you serious? How many more chances does he need? You do realise this [censored] cost the club 50k for not following simple lockdown rules and when the club tried to reach out to him for the concern of his welfare, he spat it back in our face and went on a drinking binge. There was a 1 year contract right in front of him and [censored] it away. I was all for supporting him at the start but good riddence to him. I'd rather bring in people who will bust their [censored] for this footy club.

Majak if needed could be used on some tall opposition with experience Has played some good games and kicked multiple goals where his best was 6 goals against the Bulldogs and 4 goals in an Elimination final against Adelaide 2016. Mind you he has finals experience. In a game against the Dees in 2017 he had 18 HO and 7 tackles rucking against Max so he is no slouch and he is good insurance to have, Dees lost that game by 4 points and Majak played a part in the win. Played 18 games in 2018.and 2019 of course had personal issues however l believe he is worth the risk .

I imagine I should have put this in the BB knee surgery but it is appropriate here when explaining the time frame mentioned. I am not an orthopaedic surgeon, but after multiple meniscectomies on both knees I have some insight into the options. There isn’t much cartilage in either of my knees and there is a reluctance to take cartilage out unless absolutely necessary because long term you are looking at requiring a knee replacement. 3 options on offer are 1. Arthroscopic repair. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time. The tear heals and cartilage stays intact 2. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally. 3. Arthroscopic total meniscectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the whole meniscus. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months while the tear heals. With all the work BB has had done and the time taken for recovery he may well have had option 1 done. They did say cautious and long term approach

Let's not forget the womens team who are doing us all proud at the moment and are a genuine chance to win the flag. If the border closures continue then hubs will be required to complete the season and if so i hope it doesn't upset their momentum. And i expect the club to go into bat on their behalf to ensure we don;t get another raw deal like the men copped last year. I'll be very disappointed if we cop an unfair travel schedule while Carlton and Collingwood get a nice easy run to finals.

I'll leave it. I get that we're all frustrated about lockdown but this forum isn't the place to discuss it. It just causes more fights between posters and we have enough of that arguing about inviting players to train with us.

My condolences to the young man at this terrible time. Richo’s response was a great example of how to do it (Eddie, take note). Something along the lines of ‘we dont know, but we have Matty Whelan who can help us get it right’ in terms of the cultural needs at this time. Listening with respect is the first step. Well done Dees. I look forward to Kozzie getting back and really taking his game to the next level when it is right for him to do so.

How about - the club's talent scouts who watch the lower leagues have decided that Majak Daw is the best all round solution? It seems logical that they would have looked into it.

MD may not even make ‘demon colors’. He has to impress to gain even a rookie spot. HB - broke all his agreements and cost himself a contract. Bubble and family issues not ideal for someone in his situation, but it was his spot to lose. OMAC - please, please, lets not go there again. How many pages of threads have there been on this poor bloke? He is not in the frame to be a Demon next year, so let it go...

Because there's a whole glut of above-average rucks just sitting round waiting for the phone to ring. Of course he's average. Average is fine, and he's at least as good/better ruck alternative than anyone else we have.

Why is depth 'dreaded' exactly? This is how a list works. You don't have 40+ A graders, it's just not possible. Clearly with our list situation, not just this year, but with our forthcoming OOC players there's a big picture to look at. Daw isn't even on our list yet, he's just been given a chance to show some form that might grant him a rookie spot. Even if he manages a spot it's probably unlikely he'll play AFL level, but with Brown and Weid out, Jackson still a youngster, Petty coming off no preseason, our main insurance ruck gone, McDonald a gamble at best, Tomlinson not a forward, Lever and May both with recent injury history, OMac gone etc etc it makes sens to me to be looking at a mature swingman as very very cheap insurance.

Spoke to him today. Humble as always, seems pumped to get stuck in. ??

I believe this is how Ben Brown's knee flared up again!

Like the Football Department it was time to get another view... It's unhealthy to keep with the status quo for too long, particlulary when we don't have results to show. I don't think having one new board member that hasn't been hand selected by the board would lead to instability unless they had something to hide.

Congrats to Brad Green for being elected on the board. An ex captain of our great club and a good all round person. Will be an asset to the board with his football background.

From over here I would just say please do what it takes and stay on the side of extreme caution. The feeling in Britain is that Australia has done very well and is an example to follow in certain areas such as "go hard, go early". Massive errors were made here and the situation is a disaster with over 116,000 deaths. The vaccination program is going very well, they have got that right. I get my first one tomorrow. However there are still dark days ahesd. Take care.

If only it was the footy as the price being paid. The financial, physical and emotional price is extensive for many.

Interesting listen. Yes he seems a fan of Jackson and his ‘naivety’ in that he does things talls normally leave for the smalls to do. he’s hoping the kozzie picketts and Spargos step up this year and keep the newbies honest and hopes the new recruits don’t get a game early because of this. Mark Williams did ask the newbies to bring in their birth certificates and burnt them in front of them. interesting we looked at paddy McCartin but it was about being available to go early and paddy wouldn’t be. He talked up Daws ability in the ruck post comeback where north started Goldstein forward. I also think he has good attributes in the ruck.

Is that the same Dwayne Russell that basically said a few months ago that Luke Jackson won't make it as a player?

People get very exercised about giving a rookie spot to a 54-game player who’ll provide cover for ruck and both ends of the ground. I’m not expecting Brownlow votes from this bloke. Probably won’t even play. Hard to think of a more uncontroversial decision. I guess there will always be contrarians.

Per Alan Richardson his mom passed away. Funeral late Feb / early Mar so It'll be a few weeks before he returns. Condolences to the young man and his family.

Ok Ill be brave....Welcome to MFC Majak, Hopefully u provide us with viable multi footy options and a few lfe perspectives as well. Good luck PF

We should all be proud of the Club's announcement and receive the AFL's community award in 2021. Anything that keeps him away from Lulie Street it to be highly commended. On an equally serious note . . . My mate, who is mad Norf and understands the game, was amazed that Norf delisted him, not withstanding the injuries and other challenges Majak dealt with in 2020. His view was that Majak, when fit, was easily inside the club's best 22 players. He was appalled by Shaw's handling of him when coach (and I'm Shaw there's an untold story there as well). For all the reasons many have identified here, Majak:- can play anywhere, is well liked by teammates, is low budget impact, a good trainer, and happy to play in the ressies when the full list is available. My friend says his best position is off half back and we should plan to play May across half forward. Means the $850,000 man will have to rise to the occasion though. Can't say I see any downside considering the state of our list today. There would be a minimum of 30 AFL players running around in 2021 not as well credentialed as Majak IMHO.

I don’t understand the hostility to this idea. He gets a 12-month contract on small money and provides cover only. Seems a pretty low risk straight forward back up option to me.

I came across this article yesterday and thought that, while it was not to do with AFL, it could be very pertinent to the situation we find ourselves in with the injuries to Brown and Wiedeman. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/feb/12/post-striker-manchester-city-may-be-guardiola-latest-masterpiece It discusses Gaurdiloa's reaction to losing his two best/main strikers for long periods of this season and how they have made the adjustment. Manchester City are at the top of the league, 5 points and a game clear. A quote from the first paragraph.... “If we dream that the striker is going to solve our problems,” Guardiola replied, “we are not going to win the games. What will help us to still be there is the way we play.” There is also reference in the article to multi-faceted players with a lot of flexibility in where and how they play. Here is a quote from Foden.... “When we don’t play with a typical centre-forward, the people have to move a little bit more,” Guardiola has said. “But we have to arrive in the box.” He is quoting what has been told to them by the manager...... onus is on the players to move and make the play/space. Last week they thrashed Liverpool 4-1 and it is referenced in this quote. "But Jesus's contribution without the ball remains peerless, and it is telling that last Sunday Guardiola responded to Liverpool’s withdrawal of Thiago Alcântara and Curtis Jones by introducing Jesus just four minutes later, sensing that Liverpool were now more vulnerable to losing the ball in dangerous areas. A great bit of coaching where he is supporting the tactical structure with positive moves. I found the last two paragraphs particularly interesting. The reference to goals being scored by systems more than by players and titles the same way. And lastly, this..... "Perhaps this is the trend that will distinguish the title-winners of the near future: teams with multiple threats, multiple focal points, midfielders upon midfielders upon midfielders, attacks replicating and mutating at mesmerising speed." Is that what we were doing with CHAOS BALL in 2018?

Really sad about young Kozzy. Condolences to him and his family. As Richardson said, we are extremely lucky to have Mathew Whelan as a guide of support for Kozzy. The beauty about is that he's still training over there I'm guessing with a SANFL club. Great opportunity for the likes of Bedford, Chandler to stand up. Makes sense that there are rumours about offering Kobe Farmer a spot on our list.

We need an insurance policy and this guy - while not a world-beater - provides the widest range of coverage currently available. This looks an astute move.

I don't think this will hurt at all. Creative thinking not bad Dees??

Sorry for interrupting your blog then. Proceed.

We have next to no maturity of talls other than M Brown with BB and Weid having delayed starts. We have no mature ruck coverage. We have enough developing players now. We need a mature tall body or two just in case. Daw fits as a ruck if needed and defensive tall either directly or to allow more forward flexibility with Petty or May (not that I would swing him).

Don,t get carried away he would not be a best 22 fd he is an insurance for the big fella. He can play it is my opinion and would be a good back up and is a big strong boy. I am sure that others would agree.

prefer this to a paddy mccartin option but...meh

We certainly need big man depth. Daw is an all rounder, can ruck, can play down back, can play fwd. I think its an ok play.

Happy with this. We need a second mature ruck. We need key defensive depth. And with the injuries we might need forward depth. Majak can do all 3 at once. The only problem is they don’t have a lot of time to assess his body unless they’ve had this on the cards for a while. There’s a chance his body just isn’t what it was after his severe injuries so they need to thoroughly investigate that if he’s to get a list spot.

To the optimist the glass is half full, to the pessimist the glass is half empty To the MFc supporter there is another half a dozen glasses needed