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"Every club has a story of a player that left and went on to much bigger and better things, Pickett might be that player for Melbourne..." What rubbish he spouts! Corns makes it sound like Kozzie hasn't done much at the Dees as if being at the dees has held him back. The kid has a premiership medal, is revered by fans, teammates and the club. Hugely respected and feared by opponents. Has had excellent development and loves the club. How much bigger and better can it be at Port, a team that yo-yos on the ladder, who will probably change coaches this year. The much 'bigger and better' things for Kozzie are at the dees, not Port eg another premiership medal. Port are some way from that. The lure of family and home is the only materially better thing Port can offer. Cut the bs, Kane!!

Rest assured, Kozzie is well-loved by all of the boys. He also has a girlfriend who isn’t from another state. They’ve been together for quite a while and her family are all here in Melbourne.

I love it when supporters talk in absolutes off the back of a massive sample size of one game. And a practice one in February at that. Listening to Ross Lyon on RSN reference the game he lamented how challenging it was with Marshall up against both Grundy and Gawn and how they were giving us momentum around the ball. He gave an exacerbated laugh as he was saying it. And that's the thing. It's won't all be about the rucks kicking goals, or clunking contested marks in the forward 50, it's that the opposition ruckman and midfield get no respite. Every stoppage they're up against an AA quality ruck giving their mids momentum. Not all hitouts will be to advantage, but the opposition isn't hitting them to advantage either.

🤔 His two closest mates? Anyways… I can’t imagine any Club, least of all our own, picking up unneeded players for the sole reason of trying to retain one player. Especially given the picking up of any players, regardless of who they are, doesn’t guarantee that he’ll stay.

We've put a premium on prolonging Gawn's career without robbing the best inside mid of an A grade ruckman. If Grundy helps Gawn play another 3-4 season instead of another 1-2, he's been worth it.

My mail is that the club have offered Kozzy up to 5 spots on the list for family and friends if he stays. Unfortunately he’ll probably never play again, for any club - too traumatised after losing his housemates. Anyone who’s lived in a share-house knows how devastating that can be, and most people never recover.

His bias as a Port supporter wanting Pickett to play for them is so obvious it's sickening. He is like a supporter who thinks if they say something enough they will wish it into existence. Maybe Pickett does leave at the end of the year (I would be shattered), but seriously Kane STFU you annoying so and so....

And every club has a story of a player that left and went on much smaller and worse things...Nathan Buckley springs to mind.

Pfft, the dog is not needed

My son just said that I should grow up and start acting my age. I have no idea why he would say that. 😁

Outside of certain Demandlanders Australian football has a dearth of high-level analysis. In the NBA they use the stat: 'value over replacement player and win shares amongst others. There are a bunch of advanced statistics as well as the 'eye test' to see the value of star players. Clearly a lot easier in a sport where there are only 5 players on the court for each team. The commentary about allocating value by position is only one element, it is also the value of each players relative to their competition. If Grundy is expected to get back to close to his AA best, where he was arguably a top 20 player in the AFL, vs. an average starting level tall forward...it is not so cut and dry. If Grundy helps augment the value of our other star players in the midfield, in defence providing better defensive pressure on mids and in attack with better overlap run...This is a perfect fit for Melbourne. Collingwood are looking for a run and gun, overlapping handball game where they counterattack heavily. This requires high aerobic capacity and good athletes and skills across the ground. While they would love to improve their key forwards, their model is actually built around having forwards like Fritsch who are highly interchangeable and mobile as we saw in 2022 to great success. I would actually say Collingwood made a mistake. Their forwardline was not their issue, but their midfield was beaten convincingly every week in clearances...if they had better exits from the midfield they would have even better attack and their backline would be in an even better position to create repeat entries. I would argue a top 3 ruckman, in the top tier of ruckman is much better than an average starter level key forward. Especially in a Collingwood system that doesn't use their key forwards in the way that Carton for example do.

Wardlaw (Bris) to Saints Woodland (Ade) to Port Ade In theory it should make our two biggest competitors slightly weaker. Molloy (COL) to the Swans can’t be a bad thing either. Let’s hope we remain relatively unscathed.

A little talked about aspect of Kozzie going to Port is the position he plays. At the dees he is head and shoulders above other small fwds/mids. He has licence to roam and go for his shots from wherever. At Port he is competing with 'Junior' Rioli and Zac Butters for the same role. It could be argued they are as good as Kozzie, maybe not to us biased dees fans but those guys are pretty good and stand up in big games. So Kozzie may not be able to have the same impact there. Stay at the dees and he will be an AA and hopefully have another premiership.

If we were still in an economy where interest rates were not moving upwards, you might be right. But any fund manager would have known over the last 12 months that the only way interest rates were going to move was upwards. Hence, waiting has a low risk. If we'd moved too soon, we might have invested in less than optimal opportunities. I'm not a finance person, but I can see that what you are thinking of as a delay I could see as maximising a strategic opportunity.

From the Merriam Webster dictionary: Crunch time: a critical moment or period (as near the end of a game) when decisive action is needed. How is this even remotely possible for JVR, who's not played a senior game, maybe carrying an injury, and has a contract until the end of 2025?

I never saw the great man but always envisioned Michael Voss as a modern day (well, back when he was a player) RDB. Hopefully Voss doesn't find the same success at Carlton that the great man did.

While interesting, I can’t help but think it’s all about the delivery to him. At Nth, he was leading into space, arms stretched out with a chop to his arms. At the Dees the ball is on top of his head, easy for Backman to spoil. I’d like to,see his one on one stats at both clubs

Grundy definitely man handled Marshall in around the ground stoppages. I thought his grappling was close to being a free kick against on some occasions when he threw Marshall aside. Opposition ruckmen will be exhausted from wrestling with Grundy and Max and having to jump against Max. Late in games we should be able to take advantage of this. It may force teams to play two genuine rucks when otherwise they'd just go with one.

Sixty years ago we played Geelong at Kardinia Park and it was Barassi for us and Polly Farmer for them. They won the flag that year and we won it the next - it was two teams stacked with stars. Farmer won every hit-out, so it seemed to me - and he marked everything and crouched down to fire out his handballs - he was a colossus. And Barassi was if anything only better. It seemed he sharked every hit-out, and his power around the ground was something i don't think i have ever seen anyone match. Those two guys were like gods among mortals, that day. Barassi was like nothing you've ever seen - like Ablett senior, or Robbie Flower - in a category all to himself. The airborne shot of him kicking is what he was like, if you are not old enough to have seen him - it captures absolutely indelibly what he was like as a player. Hard to figure it, that he left, because nobody ever was such an indefatigable "force of Nature" in lifting his side over the line, time after time. My daughter met the great man in Hobart three or four years ago. A charming and courteous and very soft-spoken elderly gent. Who actually ten years ago (aged 77) was thinking about how nutritional requirements change as we go - primary age kids compared to secondary age kids, and then what AFL footballers at different stages of their maturing might need. Brushed aside as a geriatric, apparently, when he tried to talk about this. To his chagrin. Always, a creative thinker. Anyway, a giant of his time. We are so fortunate to be able to call him one of ours.

Bumped into Alyssa working at my local Rebel a few months back. It was great to see her, but I remember feeling how wrong it was that such a star isn't earning a living wage playing footy. The payment system in place would make it very enticing for a quality tier 2 or 3 player to move if they could get a tier 1 spot

He’s a Melbourne player until he’s not. Until then we block out the unsubstantiated noise and enjoy watching him play. Leave Kane Cornes to disappear further up his own [censored] and keep shouting into the cavernous wreck.

Wardlaw's Brisbane's leading all-time goalkicker and equal 6th in the league. Woodland's 3rd on Adelaide's all-time goalkicking tally and equal 8th in the league. All that to say, these are very good gets for the Saints and Power. And pretty big losses to Brisbane and Adelaide. So far, so good 🤞🤞🤞

Either way I would love to see some new blood in the team this year even at the expense of some of our tried and tested players.

Exhibit A, Jack Viney played 21 games in 2019. No sneezing on O'Meara; he's likely to be a very useful midfielder for Freo. BUT I would have thought what they needed was the support of mature bodies who can grind out the minutes to prevent overloading some of the outstanding but still young players. Inside mid options seem to be O'Meara, Brodie, Serong and Brayshaw with Fyfe occasionally. Ask a Carlton supporter how it feels to have a few superb midfielders but not enough meat and potatoes keeping the machinery grinding. They'll tell you one thing; "Oh, I swear, we've solved that problem now." :D Of course, I am only speaking of this season. Next year, just as soon as we don't have all their draft picks, they will have had just enough pre-seasons in them to really dominate.

Haha yeah they could but that wouldn’t generate clicks.

Sounds like Morgan Stanley's another Jason Taylor special to me

More reason for Kozzie and his manager to get it sorted sooner so he doesn't have to be put through this BS....

Unfortunately, the AFL is starting a new weekly 'trade and draft fix' https://www.afl.com.au/news/875183/gettable-your-weekly-trade-and-draft-fix-starting-in-2023 To me this makes a mockery of the supposed AFL policy that players are not to be targetted mid season. Obviously that policy has been surreptitiously abandoned. For the AFL to sponsor and feed the rumour mill is appalling, imv. As it is, we have 3 weeks of trade week rubbish but to be subjected to it all year is beyond the pail. We don't need to watch it but their discussion will be reported on all forms of media so the fake news and rumours will be hard to avoid. It seems clubs are on board as "Recruiters, list managers, players, agents and draftees will all feature on Gettable, which will be must-watch for fans of all clubs". So there will be heaps of fake news/rumours: all in the interests of AFL click bait. Will really feel for the players that are affected by any rumours aired.

The Wiz who is still a Dees fan said years ago he wished he had stayed with us. He stated his life was better with us in a number of ways. Thinking of indigenous players we have had over the years, who went to another club, I am struggling to think of any who improved their lot, with the possible exception of Fabian Francis who played 85 odd with Port and Bamblett who played about 37 more games with the Dogs. Most had the best of their AFL careers with us and in many cases the most stable life. If only Liam Jurrah had not gone home for that fateful visit. Just saying.

Don’t let Kane steal your energy. Find out where he lives and take your dog around to [censored] on his front lawn. You’ll feel better.

Collingwood would have won the 2022 PF against Sydney if Grundy was playing.

As I mentioned yesterday imo Barassi would be a composite of Petracca and Oliver. Fierce determination, never say die attitude. 'Melbourne through and through' to quote the famed Norm Smith.

Just a Short report Demonlanders, Got to Casey at 10.00 Could see most squad members indoors possibly doing weights sessions, however Witches hats were set up indicating training was to be completed. At 11.00 all Defenders from the Ones and the Two's came out and did drills and skills sessions. Of most note about this was that CHRISTIAN SALEM and JAKE LEVER BOTH TRAINED. Had to leave so cannot speculate on rest of the session but given they are usually out by 9-9.30 and train till about 12.30 this could be just a light session. Given its Tuesday I would speculate main training session would be at Gosh's on Thursday before game Saturday! Cheers P.F

Given his accuracy in front of goal an arm tattoo design is likely to end up on your chest.

Magnificent competitor never beaten. My football idol growing up. Could compete with the talls and moments later keeping up with the rovers. Those long arms! Get tackled by Ron you knew about it. I guess today a combination of Petracca and Oliver would sum up RDB. I'm sure Ron would be so impressed by these two current, absolute champions. Of course Robbie Flower would have to be in the same company with these players. My top 4 Demons of all time. And I saw many over the years. Happy birthday Ronnie.

Couldn’t ink a new deal?

Pick 1 is in our sights

We have not even seen 1 round of 2023 and some comments are predicting Fremantle to drop but there is a major difference between practice matches and the real thing since coaches experiment during this period to see players play in different positions. Fremantle has a very good onball players who as the season progresses will get better with games since most of them are very young. I hope they drop but no matter what we have 2 first round picks and 2 second round picks and looking at the herald sun this morning there is a lot of players to like in the top 40.

Death, taxes and mfcss

Forthcoming Casey Demons practice matches:- SATURDAY, MARCH 4

 Casey Demons vs. Richmond (Casey Fields, 12pm, 4x25min)
 FRIDAY, MARCH 10

 Casey Demons vs. Coburg (Casey Fields, 6:45pm, 4x25min)


Clearly fears facing the Dees even in a practice match.

In 2021 v the Dogs we rested Oliver and Salem, Brayshaw was on limited minutes in the VFL match and BBB and Viney were injured. In 2022 v Carl we rested May and Hibberd, in addition to Petty, Rivers and Salem being out injured. I think BBB, Gawn, Lever, May, Oliver, Petracca are all good candidates to skip the Tigers game and given we are meaning to be more conservative this year I'd have no issues with all of them missing. But I'd be a little bit surprised if we went with more than that. Out: BBB, Gawn, Lever, May, Oliver, Petracca In: JVR, Schache, D. Turner, Hibberd, JJ, Woewodin FB: McVee Petty Hibberd HB: Bowey Turner Brayshaw C; Hunter Sparrow Langdon HF: ANB T Mc Harmes FF: Chandler JVR Spargo Foll: Grundy Viney Pickett Int: JJ Schache Rivers Woey

Excuse my ageing brain and arthritic fingers. No holes barred is a Freudian slip.

Far be it for me to question the words of a writer of the quality of Hemingway, but isn't the correct expression "no holds barred"? Or perhaps this is just a typo?

Stats tell the story: - 183 frees for in 130 games at an average of 1.41 per game for north - 25 frees in 32 games at an average of 0.78 per game for us He’d have 3 per game if he played for dogs!

Good memory. Mine also. Ron was constantly in motion on the field, jutting jaw, arms swinging and his loose leg stride. He effectively coached the side on the field with instructions and sometimes no holes barred abuse if he was unhappy with the efforts of others, including the ump.

Yes, the usual will apply LDC: Max will be manhandled off the ball three yards away from an umpire - no free kick Clarry will be blocked 20 times - no free kick BBB will be tunneled - no free kick Big Nank will push Grundy in the back half a dozen times - no free kick Cotchin will throw the ball with his back to the umpire - no free kick.

Agreed but without the viciousness of Matthews.

Ron was like a combination of Rod Grinter, Leigh Mathews and Clayton Oliver. In other words, don't upset him and get out of the way!

As I posted above, Clayton Oliver really reminds me of him. I don’t think Dangerfield was anything like him, to be honest. For a start, I don’t recall Barassi ever being a whinger, like Dangerfield is – Dangerfield complains about every free kick awarded against him, no matter how obvious. But it’s more than that. Oliver, like Barassi, is everywhere, and always having an influence. Absolutely relentless is the only way I can describe it. They see the ball and it is theirs, no point arguing about it.