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I was basically supportive of the Board until I learned the lengths they went to to stop a fair election. Their approach to others offering their candidacy was plainly hostile which is not the way it should be and seeds distrust from members. I think they treat us, the members, with disrespect. They are not open about the new facility nor do I trust them with our finances. If they are getting nowhere on the facility they will just turn around in 12 months and say "that idea fell through but we've got another one on the go". And frankly I don't think they've done much during their tenure other than ride on the success of Peter Jackson. But a Board spill with a partition would be a disaster IMO. I agree with BDA. In the end I'd just like some honesty from this lot. Asking us to vote for candidates based on a 150 work muzzling is an utter disgrace. It goes to the honesty and quality of this Board. Surely it's time for Bartlett to step down and give someone else a go. He's clearly lost the confidence of many members.

Picket wasn't the only Demonlander there this morning. Mrs DW , myself and a friend and avid Demons watcher (who doesn't post on here), also attended. I will get the most important news out of the way first. Our friend arrived just after 9am and Maxy was walking the boundary with Langdon . Max spoke to him saying we were there on the wrong day that there was no combined training today. They would be doing only short stints and it was a skills and weights session and that we should have come tomorrow. That being the case I think that indicates there will be some kind of practice match later in the week. Picket has covered most of what we saw brilliantly, I have only a couple of small additions. Rehab: Doing high knee lifts; Vanders. Trying get balls in wheelie bins; Hibbo, Hore (only by handball) & Tomlinson. PF mentioned Clayton walking the boundary with someone, I can confirm it was JJ. He has put on some serious muscle and the photo gallery from today doesn't do him justice. He looks like a larger Jack Viney. Having mentioned the "photo gallery" my mate and I don't believe a word of the "early start" blurb. We believe the Mids and Forwards groups came out after we left around 1130. We don't know why it was written up the way it was. The defensive group described by Picket also included Lockhart and Deakyn Smith. Regarding Deakyn, my friend has been impressed with what he has seen of him previously in match sim, so it appears there is now some serious competition for Lords role; Nev, Smith, Bowey and Lockhart. Finally a question for PF, you said "the new Stand the Mark rule which will really test all players given that the moment a mark or free kick is paid you cannot move at all". This isn't correct, the Umpire must command STAND and indicate this to a player and then they cannot move. My question is, did you hear anyone shouting this? I couldn't but I was at the other end of the ground during these drills. PS. Keep up the great work Picket it's been great reporting.

Observations from last night: President acknowledged that he needs to join in a pre-season. I did not take from this that he is unwell as others have come to that conclusion, but by the looks of things he has put on a few kilograms presumably during COVID lockdowns and made a remark about not having to put on a suit for 12 months. Change of title from Chairman to President after feedback from members Going to be relentless in pursuit of facilities within the MCG precinct. Nor he or Pert would be making the announcement, would be left to Minister Pakula and the Premier. He did sound fairly confident that he hoped there would be an announcement this year. Future plans for the Bentleigh Club will be announced next year. 100 people have approached to join the Board in his time - it does not appear that any of which have ever made it on the Board. Made a comment during the Q&A segment that a person can join sub-committees/working groups so the President can see if he can work with them and vice versa. Sounded like he was on a bit of a power trip at this stage. Stated it was disappointing we had a contested election, but did not actually declare how many or what % voted for Peter Lawrence as I have noticed Carlton have done with their results announcement. I can only draw from the omission that Peter Lawrence achieved a good number of votes which would embarrass the President to have released. President is keen for people to get in touch with him or other board members to express interest to join working groups/sub-committees. Said that 2-3 working groups would be formed in addition to the 5 sub-committees, but did not indicate what they would be. Assume this has only come about as a result of Peter Lawrence's challenge and wanting to project inclusiveness. Flagged changes to the club's constitution to make it contemporary and meet club requirements. Referenced that the constitution requires a postal vote for an election and would look to change to make it electronic. Any changes will need to come back to the members. Q&A section was pre-selected question unlike the standard AGM with open questions from the floor.

On the contrary. IF this is true it means the current area being used by Victory ( 2 or 3 soccer fields alongside Olympic boulevard) becomes available. If the rugby pitch used by Rebels is included it opens up a huge area for development. Is it true, is it possible? However, I'm also getting tired of the "it's under discussion" line. Bartlett has been on the board for 7 years. To be commenced by 2023 means all the planning and design has to be completed within the next 12 months. If a definitive plan/design is not available by the next AGM, out will go this Board and we finish up where we have been for the past 60 years...homeless!!

All of those things are important Dannyz. But other than 2018 we have continued the tradition of being irrelevant to the competition. As Peter Jackson said the reason for our existence is to win games of football. In the final analysis we have again failed the main reason we exist.

I would love to say, that training was the best I've seen EVER!!! I would love to say that Angus Young from ACDC TRAINED THE HOUSE DOWN and could be added to our list! I would love to say that the weather was perfect BUT ALAS NONE OF IT WOULD BE TRUE Point number 1 the only players training were the core defence unit. More on that in a minute? Point number 2 Sorry for misleading you, but if Jayden Hunt resplendent with long hair under a school type hat ain't a dead ringer for Angus Young of ACDC Then he's darn close enough to be his twin? Piont 3 Typical Casey weather Sleet, Wind, Rain, Sunshine tending to Mercury like temperatures all within an hour and a half!? Training report. Arrived at ground to see quite a few but not packed car park at Casey at 9.40 Whether for COVID or other reasons the only players training were the defensive unit. This consisted of Lever, May, Smith, Nev, Petty, Rivers, HUNT, and BOWEY. Hibbo was also a no show. Tomlinson's only involvement was taking pot shots from 25 meters into a wheelie bin. For what reasons I couldn't say, he didn't look injured but saw him in conversation with Alan Richardson. The session was lead by Chocko Williams. I highlighted both Jayden Hunt and Jake Bowey as I'm interested in the likely impact both would have as defenders? I thought Hunt looked good to very good last year in attack and I would have thought Bowey's skill set would see him potentially taking a forward like role. The drills were interesting in that it is my feeling that this was not a high intensity session and could almost be as laid back as AFL Training gets. Drill A Involved the options of running the ball out in spread and finding a target through creation of space. The added element though seemed to be the new "Stand the Mark" rule which will really test all players given that the moment a mark or free kick is paid you cannot move at all. Its as if your boots are superglued to the turf and any minor movement will see players getting pinged left right and centre. I think it is a shocking rule and I can see games being won and lost with it. The players mentioned trained ok but as iterated it was not a high intensity drill. Drill B Involved players with backs to other player 30-40 mts away throwing or bouncing the ball and depending on its landing players turned quickly right or left footed to spear a pass to either leading or stationary target. Again a few excellent passes and a few MEH! Drill C Players taking ball and having pot shots on goal That's about it except for one slightly strange thing. At one stage Clarry ventured out from rooms with ???? Staffer maybe. walking around the boundary line looking at his phone, Music pod whatever stopping once or twice then heading back into rooms. I could speculate many other players may have been indoors doing a weights session but who knows?? Mitch Brown also appeared early and seemed to be doing some rehab work with Staffer for about 15-20 mins. I sincerely hope things step up from here and further, someone can find out if the Richmond or other practice match is on when, as even if a "'closed session" its easy to see through the fence! P.S If Jayden Hunt can play guitar half as good as Angus Young, then his career at end of footy days seems assured! Cheers PF ? ADDITIONAL TRAINING REPORT FROM DWORSHIP HERE

See my comments in the body of your post.

Thanks for the excellent summary. So he wants to vet potential Board candidates. mfc isn't his private law practice. It is our club and he can't run it like a fiefdom. The more info that is coming out about the Board election and the AGM the more concerned I am about Bartlett's appropriateness for the role and therefore the direction of our beloved football club. As an aside he needs to tell members why it is so critical we are in the MCG precinct. I'm not advocating a move to Casey. But there are other options within 5km of the MCG. Other MCG tenant clubs not located in the precinct do very well. I think his obsession to be located there is part of the 'power trip' you refer to. And will cost us with funding, members etc etc. Kennett had the right idea when he introduced fixed term for club Presidents. Stand down, give someone else a go and then stand for election at the end of that person's term. As it is Bartlett has achieved precious little in 8 years and I don't call giving up Leighoak revenue an achievement.

We have no alternative but to be patient for now. Bartlett has again been bullish about the home base saying construction to commence by 2023. And again he has been definitive about the MCG precinct. Working back from there you would think an announcement is required fairly soon and definitely before next years AGM. Either he’s full of it (i don't believe he is) or he is genuinely confident. He must be getting positive signals from the government. He mentioned that Kate Roffey is heading up the Facilities working Group. She has been involved in a number of government advisory panels and authorities so she’ll have good contacts. Hopefully she can grease the wheel and get things moving. @deevotee Petitions before having a genuine alternative board isn’t the best way to go about it. You have to have people in place and ready to go otherwise you de-stabilise for no benefit. You’ll need high profile people with the requisite skills and influence who are prepared to volunteer their time and energy. The potential pool isn’t big. I share your concerns with the slow progress but I suggest you hang tough for another 12 months. By all means see if you can garner support from influential people in the meantime and work on an alternative ticket. But do it discreetly and definitely stay away from petitions. Btw the pres looks unwell.

Understandable then if he didn't train. My wife assures me childbirth is pretty draining

Yeh but they stole them.

That bloke with his bloody cheese plater has a lot to answer for.

Aussie rules has always been an evolving game. And a lot of games are rubbish. My biggest concern about it is they are introducing new rules rather than cracking down on the existing ones. Paying more holding the man would do more to speed up and open up the game than any new rules.

Become a marginal electorate

No positive impact? First preliminary final in 15+ years. Brand correctly re-aligned after CS debacle. Financials in best shape for decades. Debt free. Increased attendance, sponsorship, revenue. What were you expecting exactly? The progress on the home base is slow but I agree with GB that we should not rush our home base which will be a 100+ year home.

Thanks for the link. I wouldn't have found it otherwise. Barltett's comments were not as worrying as they were portrayed. They are still committed to the MCG precinct, clearly there are many players including the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust to be accommodated but unless GB is an outright fantasist it is still moving forward. As to the gubbament making the announcement, it is all crown land after all. Ditto the MCG: the MCC is merely the trustee although true to say MCC members have built the stadium through most of its life but it is still public land. But boy, the personal presentation could have done with a lift. Surely the man can afford a business shirt that buttons at the neck. Just go up a size FCS!

Stream confirmed via website.

Ah, Whippet, Schnippet. Fans will always love and hate, they love to hate, hate to love. I remember when all of Hawthorn hated James Sicily - for good reason. Hawthorn fans will have amnesia about that now. I've found it difficult to 'whip' players: there but for my wonky knees would I like to have gone. Let us praise would be Caesars on this site, they'll be buried when they're ready.

Tom McDonald might be either, but not both.

Well, Glen old mate, you've only got a couple of years left to... - Win an AFL flag - Win an AFLW flag - Find another 32,000 members - Double the average home crowd attendance - Start building the new home base We missed finals in 2020, so you've already failed one of the key targets in your strategic plan. Of course, there's also seemingly the Bartlett personal growth plan which has seen him get rid of any kind of opposing voices, make it harder to have any opposing voices, 'promote' himself to President, and get a fair bit of 'me time' (which was the talk of what would happen when PJ left). If Goodwin ends up getting shown the door this year I don't think old mate will be far behind him. "And we start again...."

Not all MFC Supporters and Members vote Liberal and go Skiing ⛷ every year OD You are just reciting a Stereotypical view Whorethorn are more Toffy than the Demons in 2021

What is counted in the membership is MCC members who are also MFC members. And so they should be. I think you will find that out of the 20k?? MCC members who affiliates themselves with supporting MFC there are 12K who are MFC financial members.

LH even thought I don’t agree with the MFC wanting to be close to the G I can understand their position. The question I have is it realistic ? I guess as a doubter I could be proved wrong any day but my personal desire is for the FD to have the best facilities to enable them to achieve their best on field results. Where that facility is I do not care, now that probably puts me in the minority. I would like to see it take place at the earliest date and before I leave this earth but ever year that passes makes that harder to imagine. Can the MFC please do two things in the next couple of years. Get the bloody facility under way and play finals regularly. If those are not achieved this administration will join the honour board of administrations we have endured over the last 56 years.

There wasn't one for Peter Jackson either. He was at the AGM after he left I sat about 2 rows from him. Bloody poor form.

I’m tempted but 25m from the boundary at a suboptimal angle, through a fence and surrounded by 2 different types of reptiles (the snakes and Richmond supporters) makes me think it’s best not to.

I see there was still no mention of acknowledgement of Josh Mahoney?

Got this off social media.. look where we stand amongst it all.

Good news!

fixed it for ya

A new season just around the corner and I wonder who people thought might be the biggest surprise on our list this season. A draftee? someone who has been in the system a season or two? For me it could be one of three. Spargo, Chandler or Sparrow. Spargo ha put in a couple of good solid pre-seasons and looks to have built his body well as does Chandler. Will not be surprised to see either of them step up But the biggest improver I think will be Sparrow. We will, of course, need a replacement for Omac as whipping boy. Last season Melky put his hand up and will be in the running for sure. My favorite for the position is Tomlinson.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/866569/agm-glen-bartlett?videoId=866569&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1614027938001

Another piece of waffle and obfuscation but approximately he said Minister Pakula or the Premier will be the ones making the announcement as the Victorian government owns the land, and then the AFL will decide as it is not our land and then we will have a say. Basically

Surprise Packet I'm a +1 for Spargo, but not sure I'd say technically 'surprise packet' as such. I've come around to him a bit as I think he's actually a fairly effective player, especially in the forward half, but he gets harshly judged, even incorrectly judged, due to his height and him not being an 'attractive' footballer. He's not a smooth mover, he doesn't do anything flashy, he's not super quick, but he just manages to get things done. I think this could be the year all of us fans start to genuinely notice him properly. Whipping Boy(s) There's always a ton for us. I can see it happening to Oliver if he doesn't re-sign by mid-year. Kozzy if he doesn't kick more goals. Jones if he gets picked to play. Viney if he keeps just being Viney. But I think the most unfair one is ANB. Not a great player obviously, but I think he's often more effective (particularly within the confines of our game style) than he gets credit for. Bloke was even dropped after having 2 goals and 5 score involvements in a low scoring win against the Blues. Has his obvious weaknesses, but think they get over emphasized, particularly when you compare him to players like vandenBerg.

Very well deserved honour for two wonderful club men, and hopefully there are many more games and accolades to come for both.

You misinterpreted his post. He's asking two questions: 1) Who is your surprise packet for 2021? - CHF's nominations are Sparrow, Chandler , Spargo 2) Who will be the whipping boy for 2021? - CHF likes Tomlinson 1) I'll go Spargo although I wouldn't be surprised at all. Chandler, maybe and Nieta if his knee holds up 2) It'll be a big challenge to surpass Melksham for whipping boy, particularly if he has niggles all year, but ANB could challenge if he has a fumbly, get in the way kind of season. His preseason form suggests otherwise and he may find himself with some respect. Tommo shows potential too but seems to be holding down his defensive role inconspicuously.

Wanted to hate him after reading and hearing the stories of the 58 grand final but he was just such a lad. Always loved his story telling and just an all round good guy of the game. R.I.P

Congrats to Max Gawn for also being awarded Life membership A great clubman and current captain . 2 X B& F, 2018 AFLCA champion player and 4 X AA's Well deserved and more greatness to come. Well done Max.

Congrats to Tom McDonald for being awarded life membership of our great club and a loyal clubman. 170 games mostly solid football and hoping that you are injury free and ready to produce some of your best football in 2021 and beyond. Well done Tommy.

One voice is not enough, but suffice to say that Bartlett is on borrowed time.

This board (and CEO) have completely lost my confidence. Time for an overhaul - whoever has it in them to organise a challenge, you have my vote. Couldn’t be worse than this rabble.

Jake had an ordinary year in 2020, no doubt about it! I fall into the group that suspects Hub-life didn't bring the best out of him (growing family etc) rather than the group that believes all talent that this bloke displayed over a significant period suddenly vanished; evaporated - consigning him to the scrapheap! Short-sighted and short memories there, I believe.

Q: Why is Melksham valued? A: 8th highest goal assists at MFC since 1965 Top 20 marks inside 50 for MFC since 1965 4th highest goal kicker on current list This from 71 games in R&B to date.

You can depend on me for predictable bad dad jokes.

This might explain it a bit more. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/866239/training-gallery-february-22

Seems like this lot need a trip to Portsea with Percy Cerruty

Agreed. Hunt needs to play forward with Melksham injured and Hannan gone. Plus he's one of the more natural goal kickers on the list and is coming off a 4 goal game.

If it is ok to go to the dogs ground yesterday to watch the girls / tennis match why is not ok to go a ground to watch a practice match?

A good friend of mine went to school with Murray Weideman. He roved to Murray at primary school, taught him everything he knew about football. On a more serious note he said that he was a genial person -in other words a good bloke.

My condolences to you Sam and your loved ones. Our thought are with you. Captained the 1958 Magpie Premiership team against the Dees . However he will be looking down on Sam and supporting him playing for the enemy with a grin. RIP.