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Merry Christmas to all. Particularly to the mods. I only stumbled across this two years ago and it's nice to be in a community (yes it provide community) about a passion of mine. To the rest, keep up the amusing, informative and insightful (mostly) input. Let's see if we can keep the forum flamewars to a minimum in 2019

Perhaps he doesn't want his personal medical history made public. It amazes me that people just assume we should be informed of the players' situations all the time. Having said that I'd love to know. Viney, Hannan, Brayshaw etc etc. Pity there wasn't a Dave Misson injury update before Christmas.

For all the improvements the club has made, I've got to say that this is still an issue for me (and other supporters). It's odd enough that there's been no word from the club regarding Gus given he's missed multiple weeks of full training. But what's even more baffling as big red pointed out is that the MFC publish a full article regarding Brayshaw's unique training program on Christmas day, only to end it by saying he won't be completing it this year with absolutely no word on why. Amazing that things go seemingly unnoticed by the MFC. [censored] me off to no end.

I’ve heard on the Monday after the preliminary he took too many Brownlow votes.

Happy holidays to Prodee. Merry Christmas to everyone else. ?

You don’t seriously believe that a Coach would can a guy in the media when they are either keeping him, or hoping to trade him, do you? If you do, I have a clapped out piece of crap car that you might like to buy.

8 Christmas Wishes. Feel free to critique or add your own. 1. Teach Clayton Oliver forward craft: Clarry was 3rd in the league with 166 total tackles last year and first in the league with 405 contested possessions. When you add those together plus preseason games and training you start to work out why he had both shoulders operated on in the offseason. He's only 21, we have to protect him if he's going to play well in the 30's. So that means improving his leading patterns, his marking and his crumbing as a forward so he can impact games from there. We should have plenty of options to role through the midfield especially if we are lucky to be leading games with big margins. So it's time to take the load from Clarry's shoulders (and back, hips, knees etc). 2. Make Gus Brayshaw's kicking up to scratch Gus got his head and body right and turned in to the elite ball winner we all hoped he could be last year but now it's time to get him hitting targets at a much higher rate. In a lot of ways the pressure is on to show he is a dangerous midfielder worthy of a 3rd place Brownlow finish. I hope he continues to embrace his kicking on both sides and works hard to really be decisive with his decision making and flatten out his kicks. 3. The club needs to get Jayden Hunt to play tennis I was up to the boring bit of my occasional West Wing rewatch when the great Leo McGarry had this to say It made me think about players who aren't performing as they could and what might be done about it. One thing that stuck out with me with Hunt at his best compared with Hunt this year is the quick little steps he'd take to get down to a ground ball then break free to space went missing. Obviously, he had some ankle issues that wouldn't have helped but I wonder if the best way to bring that movement back is to get him playing the sport he grew up playing. One that relies on quick feet. We have a couple of tennis coaches available to the club - Todd Viney and Nicole Bradtke, one of them should get Jayden playing some tennis! The AFL is full of junior basketball players lauded for their vision and movement but in the case of Hunt tennis might well have taught him how to move. 4. Fix Tracc's goalkicking I don't know what the plan should be but after excellent accuracy in 2017 Petracca's goal kicking went down the drain last season. Fix it. Fix the other 10 things wrong with his game as well but fix the goal kicking and he’ll play with confidence to do the rest. 5. Get Melksham and Tommy Mc tackling Both guys move like they have fused ankles when it comes to laying a tackle. Melksham 1.9 per game is not good enough for a half forward. T Mc 2.3 is better but for such a mobile key forward he should do more. I don't know if it's training drills or an unusual training method to get them more agile and reactive but something needs to change. Maybe they can play squash and get used to quick in tight movements and getting down low. Hopefully offseason surgery helps Melk out but even with healthy ankles he’s got improvement in him. 6. Oscar has to wrestle a bear Oscar has the skills, size and discipline to make it as a good key defender and we saw that at times in 2018, but as his confidence waned as the year went on he became indecisive. He was attempting to watch his man instead of backing himself to go to the ball and he was tentative in crashing packs. To keep his spot in the side with May coming in and to thrive as a player he has to get more physical. You can't be a good key defender unless you're tough and aggressive. As a child UFC fighter Khabib wrestled a bear. Sadly I doubt the club wants to risk the complaints of the RSPCA by bringing in an actual Russian baby bear. That said, we've got something simialr available. At North Braydon Preuss nearly snapped Andrew Swallow in half one day and he put recent GWS draftee Jye Caldwell out of the game in a North VFL v AFL academy match. He's a big angry man who doesn't take a backward step. There's no one better on our list for Oscar to make a statement against to show he's ready to take on big forwards. The coaches need to design a drill that has them go one on one, word both players up and then let the magic happen. 7. The Nibble needs to add some bite to his nibbling ANB is clearly our best forward pressure player and a great runner. His ability to go contest to contest and not give up a chase makes him a certain starter every week even when he’s doing very little good (or a lot of bad) with the ball. That said, chasing is good, laying the tackles really ups the turnovers and is what makes you great as a pressure player. ANB probably isn’t going to suddenly develop Rioli like instincts and movement or get any quicker, he’s just not that type of athlete, but he still catches plenty of defenders and can increase the damage he does once he catches them by mastering some sneaky tackling tips. The Cyril Rioli special was grabbing an arm and then turning a guy to spill the ball loose. Ain't no thing but a chicken wing. 8. Run Bayley Run When Fritsch was moved on to the wing for the 2nd half against the Bombers I thought the team took a huge leap forward. We finally had a guy with lovely skills, the ability to get out in to space and overhead ability to bail out a bad kick. A lot of our best ball movement came through Fritsch. Clearly he tired as the year went on and he wasn’t as natural when forced to play half back. So to take his game (and the team) to the next level he needs to run like a gun wingman. Every indication from training so far is he’s running really well so I hope it continues.

I don't have an issue with this but then don't do a club article that brings attention to it.

Only bit of info I can get is that it is back related When I have watched him run, didn't seem hindered If back is true, like foot injuries, they take no chances

Unsure where to put this query and apologies if it has been answered but do we know what is up with Angus and lack of siting on the trackl. Article on the MFC website today about the traditional Brayshaw brothers 100 x 100s on Xmas day but he mentions he cant participate this year but does not state why. It kind of made no sense to do an article about something he is not doing this year but anyway....

Amazing stuff @Grapeviney that was an awesome summary. I think a lot of us Aussie English football fans would kill to have that much in-person exposure just in our lifetime! Great job. Good to see Spurs are doing it for you

But also, if Davey could get our entire team kicking the way he could, it would just be magical to watch. We could play the Blue Danube from the speakers all game and it wouldn't match the grace.

Yeah, I get a bit annoyed about whole separate streams of development and 'special programs' and the like in a lot of situations, but this is one where it makes sense. And importantly, has a sunset to it - once it succeeds in the goal of normalising the idea of Indigenous people being coaches, it'll wind down naturally. In a professional community as small as AFL-level coaching, personal contacts make all the different. Because of the legacy of separation, because of the competing priority of supporting your community (e.g. Neville Jetta) and because many indigenous players emerge from comparatively remote places (the article notes "... trips to the Northern Territory, Cairns and regional Western Australia to target those who typically aren't exposed to leading coaching strategies "), the direct personal connections aren't going to be as strong. Plus, somehow still, there are little bits of creeping racism which can really stink up efforts at networking. Networking is particularly vulnerable to pissy little low-key racist exclusion. All it takes is just a couple of soft-racist types to do some moaning about how "such-and-such is only getting an interview because we want to look politically correct" or "that guy is only at this event to make up the diversity numbers" and an Indigenous prospective coach is having their credibility and worthiness questioned by people who would otherwise not blink at giving them a chance. Even quite earnestly not-racist people can be influenced by the grumbling of someone they respect, particularly because the actual racial motive might be all but invisible, so to anyone listening it just sounds like a colleague making an honest observation. So that's the lay of the land, but with the momentum for change now, through the likes of Davey and Whelan and Jetta, it really should just be a matter of time. I'd understand if you still find it irritating, but at least take comfort knowing it is a temporary effort that'll just straight-out solve this particular problem in the long run.

Film yourself acting them out and post the video.

I think I know the censored word and agree. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Extra points for not using the [censored] term "Happy Holidays". Well done. And Merry Christmas.

All I can say Mr Moons is that both you and Uncle are skirting with contempt by breach of a court order! And for the record if Mr Redleg is correct and a certain person does visit this site, it is all just false MeToo scuttlebutt from the 70’s no less! Who can remember what they did in the 70’s?

We have had some of the best players to ever set foot on the park who are indigenous. Yet there has never been an indigenous head coach at AFL level. Approx 10% of players are indigenous, we have 3 indigenous assistant coaches at present. Confused as to why people would see promotion of a pathway to develop indigenous coaches as an issue or be “annoyed” by it.

Whelan is a no for coaching, he is hapoy doing what he is doing, besides which not exactly of 'physical example' his words not mine, Nev will eventually coach methinks, already has his hand in with various academy teams Craig Jennings is trying to create a pathway for Indigenous coaches, he is bemused that some of the talent he finds nationwide can't get a sniff If you think there is no problem, Nev was racially villified by a prat in the stands only 2 seasons ago and Eddie Betts got it last year, it is the 'acceptance'of Indigenous coaches by supporters that has to be normalised for a start

What a great answer. Thanks for that. I never thought for one moment that it WAS a problem, but you are correct. The AFL is certainly very incestuous clique. I would love to see Whelen/Davey/Jetta coaching in the future (If they were good enough) 3 of my all time favourite players, and all seemed like really good blokes also.

Our Club is more and more becoming an off-field 'pace setter' for the entire competition. I'm proud of that fact! ................. and on-field is quickly heading in the same direction. Go Dees!

This is an initiative being driven by Craig Jennings, Nev and Matty Whelan They are trying to establish a pathway for Indigenous Coaches into the AFL, and not necessarily ex players

The headline of the article (not this thread) is a little misleading as the coaching stint is only for the training camp. Great to have Aaron back in the Red and Blue even if only for a short time. Love ex-Demons returning to the fold.

Great move by the MFC. I have often thought we needed a kicking coach and Davey had one of the best kicks in the league

Well, snorting ice cream will do that...

You may be right. I’m not going to argue the point simply because I don’t know. I’d just be surprised if that were true. Anyway, merry Christmas.

Stayed at a winery last night, I guess it shows.

Well we don't leak like a sieve anymore. He was not traded just because he was happy to go home. You can back that in.

Happy Festivus.

Another 3 sacks for AD99 today. Some decent games, Steelers made a meal of their game time and time again. They should have beaten the saints today which makes me even more [censored] at them ?

Cheers mate. I’m happy to go with a pick 3 Macca. We can all put one selection forward from now on, Wadda is back and recovering, hopefully he rejoins soon.

Fair enough. Was so obvious I thought no one could mistake the two. Seems I was wrong....I'll add that to the other time I was wrong which was around 10 yrs ago. It was a Wednesday afternoon and it was raining......

Have a great Xmas yourself DZ I must say I felt a lot more confident with just the 3 picks ... thought we'd get af least 2 of the 3 up and that might be a good pointer moving forward. The 3 pick offers up greater opportunities for more collects. And the combined odds on a 3 pick can end up being around 15 - 1 or thereabouts. Just a thought.

I think @Good Lord Georgehas a fair point. There is something going on.

Word is it's a back complaint but nothing has been confirmed and he's been in the rehab group running laps for most of the preseason.

Well, the opposite was true. Hogan was going somewhere: to Fremantle. There are a number of photos doing the rounds on social media. The one posted here is tame. Personally I have nothing against Hogan choosing the life he wants. But i really dislike the [censored] who snap a shot of him and post it online triumphantly.

It will come soon hopefully, had the Texans in another small multi but unfortunately a late FG by the Eagles gets me donuts again. Anyway not to worry, all in good fun and have a Merry Xmas Macca.

Love all your points. I just want a Premiership.

Dear Uncle, happy to have shared a Cognac or five with you ( as my guest) as I cruised past Idyllic Romsey and I dare say "The manor" the other day but thought I would struggle with the intracacies of the moat, the drawbridge and the lovely wenches that double as maid/servants during your time in comparitive party mode! Maybe next time!

Dunn, Kent and Tyson all on 0. Gave their all and moved because the writing was on the wall.

I'm not 100% sure the assertion yoi are making here Molloy, but if it's that Todd Viney was the MFC's worst coach, then that's a shocking and completely wrong assertion to me. Just looking at his actual record, first two games after taking over a team bereaved of confidence, within two games he makes progress cutting a 76 point loss in his first game as coach, reducing that to a 48 point loss in his second game and then finishing off the season with two losses under 10 points and a win. My reccolection at the time was that Viney took the team back to playing simple hard, agressive tackling brand of football and actually started to bring back some confidence and beleif in the players. He actually did the job so well that there was some mild speculation that perhaps he might take on the job the next year permanently, which to Todds credit he refused to apply for based on his own assessment of his coaching capacity and aspiration (or the genuine lack there of with respects to the later). As far as I understand, Todd Viney has made a fantastic and highly capable contribution to the MFC in his proffesional role at the club, so for the assertion and slight to be made against him as a coach is really quite poor form in my view.

It is all worth having Preuss and learning his craft off the great man. However l can see him in the distant future being our no 1 ruckman when his turn comes and the prospect of being a leading ruckman in the AFL. It is not a big call as this boy can play. IMO I can see him playing regularly.

I managed to get down to my first pre season training session for the year. Arrived roughly around 0940hrs and Hannan was already leaving the track so not sure what was happening there... As I walked to the boundary fence there was a hype of activity. Rehabbers doing all sorts drills with Crossy, the main squad doing what looked to be AFLX simulation, music was pumping, the Drone hovering and Bradtke doing some solo ruck work with the coaching staff and then a few guys running timed laps around the oval. Viney was running a few laps with good intensity and is looking a little leaner. Lever and Melksham were running with a staff member who looked to be pace setting. They would do two laps and then walk for a minute and repeat, about 10 laps in all at a good intensity. After Baker and Oliver had finished with their rehab duties they were running boundary laps 1 minute on 1 minute off. They both seem to be in good nick and will resume in contact work after the Christmas break. The main group went on to play 3/4 ground hot potato for 15 minutes or so. I was impressed with Sparrow and Bedfords ferocity, they laid quite a few good tackles and smothers to the applause of the Jade Rawlings, furthermore they are noticably quick. Joel Smith is in ripping shape, if he stays injury free, he will have a break out year... no doubt about it. Hibbo looking a little more cut and Garlett seem to be in a good place, he was displaying fantastic touch and footy nous, so i'll be keen to see how he travels next year. Following on from the Hot potato drill, the main group did some ground ball 3 on 1 drills which was a good laugh, especially seeing Spargo, Bedford and JKH trying to take down Gawn or Preuss. It took them a while but they finally got them down. Sparrow, Bedford and Garlett again impressed in these drills. Towards the end of the session, the main group were put through a fairly intense rotating circuit training where they would spend 30 seconds at each station and move on to the next. It consisted of Bag tackling, Machine rowers, straight arm Barbell plate sit ups, Speed ropes, Spin bikes and a few other interesting exercises which looked similar to Jiu Jitsu grappling which again got a lot of laughs from the spectators and media. Preuss basically just lied on top of Frost to catch a bit of respite not to Frosty's enjoyment. Finally to finish it off the main squad had to do full ground suicide runs. ANB, KK, C.Wagner and Jordon were the standouts here with C.Wagner crossing the line first followed by ANB who was 20 meters behind. Frost, May, Preuss and Weidemann were the last to cross. They all then jogged it back to the centre square for drinks and were sucking in the big ones with a few on all fours. Not too long after that the training session was finished around Noon.

Possibly agree about fit, for these current (very current) times about Pedo's role. However, I loved the way he played footy, could recover and perhaps win games for us, would protect the smalls and take those inspirational marks at unexpected moments which nearly always benefited the team, the teammates about him and the scoreline. Very sadly, he missed - at the selection table - many, many games as a scapegoat player in the eyes of the FD, mostly unjustified. His versatility in several roles was immediately missed as a result. He was such a good Clubman for the MFC that he held no apparent grudges for this treatment; always there, encouraging more youthful players and selected teams returning to the Clubrooms at half-time, during the half-time break and after the game. Always a face of positivism for the MFC and an excellent team presence demeanour.

I remember running out onto the" G" in a reserves match against Collingwood after the game in 1969 chasing autographs and came across no. 4 Tony Sullivan who gave me his signature and felt chuffed about it. Only to find that he signed it Fred Bear. I wasn't impressed to say the least. Loved the Reserves game.

We know the stats and the disastrous years. We are moving on into a new era and l am excited to be a part of it. Jump on board Plough.

This is the first I’ve visited D-Land for a while and it’s fascinating to see that there’s still so much interest in Jesse. I had a couple of days feeling a bit unsure of whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, good trade vs bad trade, but now he’s just another opposition player now.

I like a good game of charades. It would have to beat what the riddler put out last year.

I've heard he had coco pops for breakfast....

I said he wasn’t willing to put in the hard yards to become a champion not just an okay or good footballer. Hard yards includes behaviour at training, on game day AND outside of that. His behaviour on the weekends and time off (which we all know too well in Perth) since he joined MFC and not just after tragic events demonstrates my point exactly. Further, talks about his poor body language and arrogant swagger on game day have been consistent throughout his career, not just after tragic events.