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We’re still in this. Offering 4 years. His choice and will decide shortly

Dual premiership player and 1953 Bluey winner Peter Kennedy Melville (Ken) passed away today. He played 71 games for the Demons between 1953 and 1956 - at the start of Melbourne's golden era. He won the Bluey in his first year and eas named vice-captain in 1955. In an era not seen nowadays, Ken played as an amateur and retired in 1956 a the age of 25 to pursue studies in the UK to become a Presbyterian Minister. On returning to Australia he played some amateur football again (but not VFL) and made the team of the century for Old Scotch and possibly University Blues. In 1973 when Norm Smith passed away, Ken was the Minister at the funeral. Around the same time, Ken returned to the club as a selector. He was also my uncle - my mother's brother. And what an awesome experience for a young kid. I remember being handed over the fence to my Uncle Ken at the end of games as he carried me into the Demons room full of sweaty giants who had just been walloped by their opponents (it was the mid-70's) and i met my heroes Greg Wells and Stan Alves and Gary Hardeman. Ken had lived in Perth for most of the last 50 years (excluding a period running a B'n'B in Beachworth in the 1990's) but I only got over there once in 2014 to watch the Demons play West Coast. It was a disaster and i have a photo I'll dig up later of Ken with his hand in his face watching the c**p we used to ditch up then. It was remarkable that he was able to see the 2021 Grand Final win. He was already quite frail and would never have considered travelling to Melbourne (like he had in 1988 and 2000) but had actually decided in 2021 that he would stay home in Perth and watch it on TV!!! That's when Ch7 and the AFL stepped in and picked up in a limo and gave him el primo seats for the game. For all the angst and regret that I have (we all do LOL) about missing out on seeing the Dees in 2021 this one gesture gives me comfort. Proud to have had you as my uncle, Ken (and apologies to any of my cousins who might be on DL if I jumped the gun with this). Go Dees.

Dear Foundation Heroes, As you’re aware, in December 2023 we announced the commencement of a feasibility study to identify a location for the club’s long term homebase within the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. This study formed part of a broader project focused on community sport and recreation resources, assets and services within the Reserve. In exciting news, I am thrilled to share with our members, that after extensive work and thorough analysis, the feasibility study for our proposed new training and administration facility at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve has been successfully completed and approved to progress to the next stage of the process. This means, we now move into the Business Case Phase of the project. This phase of the process has focused heavily on stakeholder engagement and garnering local support for the project. The positive sentiment from so many local community organisations and groups has been wide-spread and the feasibility study has definitely highlighted the community’s desire to see this project come to life. While the success of the feasibility study does not ensure the future of the project, it is a crucial milestone in the process and marks a significant step forward in our journey towards realising our vision of a high-performance facility that makes us all feel proud to belong. As mentioned above, we will now embark on the business case phase of the project. This phase will see us continue to work closely with all stakeholders to achieve further clarity on key components of the project, resolve any outstanding issues bought to light during the Feasibility Study and to ultimately seek State Government and Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust approval to proceed with building our new home. Within the business case phase, we will need to present the proposed funding model for the project, details of key users of the facility and the specifics of their access, an ongoing operating model for the facility, as well as further exploration of potential designs and layouts to ensure any facility would meet both the needs of the club and the community. We expect to receive an outcome on the success or otherwise of the business case around mid-2025. While there is still a way to go, Melbourne members should feel confident in the work being done by all involved to ensure we achieve our vision of uniting our club at a new home-base within our heartland. As mentioned above, one of the most pleasing aspects of the successful feasibility study was the overwhelming support we received from the Glen Eira community including local sporting clubs and schools, and various other community organisations. This support brings us closer to our goal of creating a state-of-the-art facility with genuine community integration and connection at its core. The proposed facility has the potential to transform the lives of those who live and work in the area, providing much-needed green spaces and community resources. With Glen Eira having the lowest amount of open space within any Victorian municipality, the inclusion of two incredible ovals in the broader masterplan will transform the area and offer amazing new facilities for the community. As we have previously noted, Glen Eira is a traditional Heartland of the Melbourne Football Club, with many of our Club members and supporters living in the area and many club greats hailing from the area. Hence, the opportunity to create a facility that benefits both our club and the Glen Eira community is an incredibly exciting prospect. As always, we remain committed to keeping our members and supporters informed throughout this process. For more information and frequently asked questions related to the project, please click here. Thank you for your continued support as we work toward this exciting new chapter for our club. Go Dees! Gary Pert

Way overs. A mature age mid-season draftee who hasn't played a single game at AFL level is in no way worth pick 25 in a trade. Trading second round picks is for established AFL players such as Langdon, Hibberd, Melksham, and Grundy for us in recent years. The average AFL salary is $450k. Why would you give a mature age mid-season draftee $400-$450k? He'd be paid more than talented kids and established players, including some premiership players. It would be poor salary cap management. Realistically, we offer our last pick - pick 61 - and lowest possible salary. He doesn't command anything more. All our other picks are too valuable to waste on him, even the picks in the 40s and 50s hold enough points that they'll likely be part of a package to trade up the board with Brisbane, Gold Coast, and others that needs points for academy and father sons draftees.

Yeah too right.... This was me with Trent Rivers at the B@F a couple of years ago at about 10:30pm:

What is this? A centre for ants?!

Great to see Gus will be there on the night. Fantastic news.

I’ve heard similar. We are the highest $$ offer. My understanding is that he is most likely to stay at GWS. If he doesn’t come to us at least we’ve gone down swinging!!

Admittedly, I have never attended a B&F but the fans do get the chance to occasionally mingle with the odd player don't they? It's pretty sad to say, but I'm actually a bit thankful he won't be there just out of fear of a fan, downing a few too many chardonnays and getting a bit 'passionate' towards Christian and maybe whoever he takes to the night. Might be best just to stay away for now, get himself 100% for next year and allow everyone to fall in love again once he starts playing wonderful footy and we start winning some more games.

I find the negativity about this bizarre. We finally have some concrete plans, and things appear to be moving in the right direction. I am not a fan of Caulfield, but if that is the position the clubs takes then I will embrace it. Just give us a home already. Notably the Lawrence fans are still not happy. Can’t campaign on that one anymore hey?

I'm not surprised but I'm seriously annoyed about it. As Perty said at last year's AGM, if it was as simple as the idea of getting a training ground, it would have been done years ago. The biggest barrier to this happening sooner is the lack of readily available space close to the city that members would be happy with, with stakeholders willing and able to make it happen. Here's probably the best opportunity we have since Gutnick turned down the Olympic Park precint we're ever going to have. FFS, let's embace it!

18th September 2024 Jack Viney out on Gosch's with Chandler, Turner, Sestan, Kentfield and K.Brown. Small runs and kick to kick. Then headed off to AAMI. Probably to the meeting about the Caulfield announcement

Redemption Branding

When I started High School there was a ‘compulsory’ donation attached to the school fees that was directed to the building of a school hall/ theatre . 6 years later, the hall was opened, and I completed my matriculation ( HSC) just in time to never be able to take advantage of the new facility🤦‍♂️ With today’s news I’m replacing ending school with living long enough . 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Whilst waiting for page 184 and the news to drop tomorrow I just wanted to touch on some historical points about MFC, MCC & MCG (because I am a bit of a history nerd 🤓) raised in the last few pages in this thread. Whilst the Dees are inextricably linked to the MCC and MCG there are some myths prevalent about this. Melbourne Football Club was not founded by the MCC but rather some MCC members founded a football club. The formal link between the MCC and MFC was inked in 1890, some 31-32 years after MFC was established. The MCG was not the Dees first main ground. Whilst a few matches were played here and there at the MCG itself, MFC had its own ground next to the MCG which was nicknamed the 'Gravel Pit'. In 1885 another ground was established where Olympic Park (now Collingwood's training oval) used to be and this was called the Friendly Societies Ground. Also in 1885-1890 period the main football tenant of the MCG was actually Carlton. Technically the Blues are first football tenant of the MCG. In 1890 when the MCC formally incorporated MFC as its football component then the MCG became the Dees main homeground and the Dees the main footballing tenant of the MCG. Yes, ideally the Dees should have developed the Olympic Park site but Collingwood muscled their way into that [and other factors ... can't change that outcome now]. Now, MFC have an opportunity to get a home base in Caulfield which is inside their old historic recruiting zone where they do have supporters who reside nearby and hopefully this comes to fruition. Looking forward to some positive news tomorrow ... 😊

Like others I haven't ever seen him play, so thanks for videos from his pre-GWS days and he does look the goods - but so do many that have junior video highlights. But a quick look at his numbers in the VFL for the Giants tells me that he is a moneyball pick of the highest order - potentially a pick that will save Tim Lamb's job. How many forwards take 12 marks and have 25 disposals - as he did in a loss to Willy. The week before he was quieter in a 50-point loss but still kicked a couple. The week before it was 17 disposals and two goals in a one-point loss, although he did have a shot at a matchwinner. He was prominent against us the week before - 19 disposals, five marks, three tackles. That's a lot of disposals for a tall. His height is somewhere between 194cm and 197cm - that's tall and he can play back-up ruck - tick. He can kick it a long way based on the videos and with both feet - tick. He is still only 23 - that's way better than drafting/trading in players who are at end of career such as Membrey or Taberner and given that he has been in the system for two years is ready to play AFL - tick. He can play both down back and up forward, which means if jnjuries happen to our ageing tall defenders, he can be sent there or Petty can. He is from a club that boasts the best talls - Taylor, Buckley, Cadman and Hogan - tick - which explains why he didn't get an AFL gig. He has at least one mate at club already - AMW - and apparently has family in Melbourne - tick. If anyone has any major doubts then let us know - he may not have high tackle numbers but nor do many talls. So what do we give up for him? I'd say we'd have to give up our second rounder or the pick we receive from Adelaide for ANB - any deal involving our pick 5 should be immediately shut down. And given that he looks ready to play, the length of his contract should be three years, just in case he struggles with the extra expectations of playing AFL. I'd imagine he is on somewhere between 200-250K at present, so his deal should come with a new $400-$450K salary. To me, it's the first good trade news we've had since Ed and Ben.

Cal Twomey on gettable saying Melbourne in the box seat to land Derksen.

The Goody Centre for players who can't kick good and who want to learn other stuff too (personal brand inclusive).

Love Greeny, he's pure class

But not as good as the time we introduced ourselves to Tom Scully at the 2009 draft party at the MCG:

Almost as good as when you bailed up Blake Howes for 20 minutes only to later find out it was Daniel Turner…

Inability to obtain both Federal and State funding has been / is an issue as well. Final costs far closer to the $120million mark, Dees have to come up with 25%. Fundraising initiatives to be announced soon. Expect another Debt Demolition / Foundation Legend and Heroes event to be run.

From the POV that he’s training, and under a program of monitoring and watchful eyes, great. Hard injuries to return from and if he’s doing his utmost to tick the boxes that gets him confident and capable of returning to footy, fantastic. Hope it’s smooth sailing and a resounding success. All the best, trac 🤞🏻

Agreed. I’ve done some work out at the Kennedy Centre (Hawks new facility) ovals completed and operational long before the building will be.

Thanks @goodwindees ur info was spot on about an announcement today. God there is no pleasing some posters here. We get some news that our potential home quarters is progressing and some of u are carrying on that u thought it would be more advanced, yet if nothing is said the same posters still bloody carry on about the lack of progress. FFS it’s not a 2 min process and there are stages that we need to go through to get this project completed. Yes it has taken a long time overall looking for a home base, but bloody hell a bit of positive news is better than nothing.

Nice summation. Seems worth the punt. Don't think we'll be giving up a second though - probably only worth a later pick given he's never featured at AFL level.

Look, the REAL reason players don't like Casey is because of the high potentiality of Random Snake Bites!!

Dees in 'box seat' for Derkson according to today's episode of Gettable

Idk why I was expecting a little more than that. Good news that it's progressing but blimey the road is a long one.

Good News very Good News, Demons in the Sports pages again but for great reasons, It will still take time patience grass hoppers

Neither did you... 2009 - MFC resumed as a MCC sporting section

I hope it's announced tomorrow because I've already planned to have a good day.

I'm a punter - horses and footy. I really enjoy betting on footy. But find the ads - and even more so the integration (eg the in game ads and 'tips' from peanuts like brown) - obscene. In 20 years time we will look back on such advertising in the way we look back im horror at the total integration of say Benson and Hedges sponsoring cricket (and all the rest, eg motor sport). What were they thinking? And the parallels are clear: Like we did with tobacco in the 1970s, we know the damage gambling does to our society. The research is crystal clear. The motivation of the advertisers and companies is also the same- create life long customer loyalty, from teenager to grave. And the AFL, like sporting organisations in the 1970s will argue the money is critical - but when push comes to shove will find other revenue streams.

The lid’s off at Bomberland in this expose by the Herald Sun chief football writer - AFL Integrity warns Essendon over Nick Hind and Jake Stringer’s associates. The team which hasn’t won a final for two decades had one of the easiest fixtures in the competition but meekly fell out of finals contention after riding high in mid season. Now, Robinson reports that AFL Integrity has warned the Bombers to be vigilant over who they allow into their change rooms after concerns raised about players' associates. “It's believed the Bombers were warned to be aware of a group of associates of recently delisted Bomber Nick Hind, who is known to have a shared friendship group with teammate Jake Stringer. “It's believed the associates regularly attend Essendon matches and were seen in the Bombers' rooms more than once this season.” The implication from the article is that the “associates” are possibly gangland figures as Robinson mentions the situation in 2013 when Richmond's Jake King was advised to not bring bikie underworld figure Toby Mitchell into their rooms after a match. The culture at Bomberland is rotten. We still haven’t forgotten the doping scandal that wracked the club a decade ago or the fiasco when Andrew Thorburn was forced to quit as Essendon CEO just one day after stepping into the role. There must be a review of that club’s operations which indicate clear cultural deficiencies at that club. Heads must roll. 😀

Vale Ken. He was my Politics/Social Studies teacher in Year 11 (1974), when he was Chairman of Selectors. Quite a few of us were Demon supporters and Ken would get us into the rooms after a number of games. We actually spent far more time discussing team selection during the week, than the impending constitutional crisis of 74/75. Interesting times and seems just like yesterday. Ken was a true gentleman.

It is a bit of a fizzer, and now I have no idea if my breakfast whisky is for joy or sadness. I'm mostly left scratching my head as to why they told Roffey not to attend the email forwarding.

I'd say a 3rd or 4th rounder gets it done if we wanted to trade for him. A second round pick offer is for established players only, which he currently isn't.

Well I for one am pleased with even this degree progress towards a home. It's a lot closer than we've been for many a decade. Kudos to those involved. Now let's get it over the line. Be sort of ironic to have Melbourne's Cups housed at Caulfield Whoever asked after the ovals.... bound to replicate the G and "insert dockkands sponsor name come 2030" ... all in all a marvellous step forward, and it is, a step forward. Not a lot to hang our football happiness hat on but this IS good news. Let there be more Go Dees

Mate, just be happy they are getting Coles 😉🤪

Huge and unnecessary risk imo Get our system entering F50 fixed and Fritta will pay us back in spades

Hope Bombers win this chase.

Neither is whiskey but if you start pushing it on 8 year olds as being a part of following the footy, I'll take an issue with you.

Will pick 5 be enough?

Some long bows in those conclusions. The last point says St Kilda have the wrong KPI's. Probably the reason they have traded in very expensive players who have not performed or forever injured: Burgoyne, Hannebury, Jones etc. Having such a wishy washy job description explains why their list is and has been a mess for years. No decent playing list means no decent on field performance and little finals action. For an alternative and more typical Job Description for a List Manager list-manager-gws-giants The GWS GIANTS List Manager is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the playing list that will develop and sustain a top 4 AFL team and to deliver on the Club purpose of winning premierships. The roles primary responsibility is to draft and trade players, effectively negotiate player contracts and ensure compliance with AFL TPP and broader Club and AFL regulations. The role supports the Football Department strategic objectives which include playing entertaining football, playing in finals and winning premierships as outlined in the annual business plans and budget. The role is then summarised in these categories: List Management Compliance Adminsitration Promotion and Development (in representing the club) RE mfc. With our 2020 restructure two roles were created: GM LM (Mahoney) and GM FD (Richardson) both reporting to Pert. Lamb reported to Mahoney. When Mahoney left he was not replaced and the role was absorbed by Lamb. iirc this was a result of FD budget cuts during covid. I haven't seen anything since to say he reports to Richardson altho I expect there would be a 'dotted line' reporting. Prior to the 2020 restructure T Viney was the List Manager with Mahoney leading player trade negotiations. imv we miss their negotiating skills. My understanding is Lamb's role is closer to GWS than St Kilda. Also, Lamb focuses on trading and Taylor focuses on drafting (vis a vis the FD's game plan and LM Committee guidelines). The Lamb/Taylor trade/draft roles can be inferred from our spokesperson/interviewee for Trades and Draft respectively. I am not advocating Lamb going, simply putting some other facts into the discussion. Whether Lamb is getting poor input/strategy from the FD, not listening to the FD, doesn't have the skill set to sell the club to players for trades, adequately managing the TPP, I don't know. What I firmly believe is our trades of the last 3/4 years have left us with a lesser list. imv we need to invest in a T Viney type List Manager with Lamb reverting to his role and reporting to this person as he did prior to Mahoney leaving.

https://www.indaily.com.au/sport/football/2022/09/16/when-list-manager-is-the-afls-most-important-job

I've always disliked Owies because of his annoying in-your-face over-celebration after every goal as if he's just kicked the sealer in the Grand Final. However, I could probably warm to him if he did that five or six times per game for MFC.

The football club is a section of the MCC. https://mcc.org.au/about-the-club/club-history/mcc-historical-timeline

The onsite cafe will be known as the KRoffey Shop.