hemingway

Excellent summary.

Jackson is an exciting young player. Reminds me of Bontempelli. Athletic but with footy skills and instincts. Injury aside he looks the goods. Sure he needs development but he has got all the raw ingredients. Athleticism, height, and footy instincts. Also shows enthusiasm and love of the game. Nurture this kid but I expect that he will come along quickly. Let’s hope we have the money to keep him and an emotional home at the club and this virus laden city called Melbourne. Line-up a Melbourne born girl friend. But not Ghislaine style.

Best footy book written (if you are a Senior Demon supporter). A wonderful insight into the great Norm Smith.

Adam, it reminds me of the old quote that it is never as good as it seems and never as bad as it seems or something like that. But I like the Leonard Cohen poem and song that “there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in”. At the moment, there appear quite a few cracks.

So many things that we have taken for granted are now in doubt. In some cases, finished for good. Along with so many other worthy institutions and businesses, the MFC is in great peril. Desperate times.

The season is a complete farce.

Sadly when you see the way they play and you look at selections you realise that there is no stability and therefore not much chance of moulding a good team. It ends up with a lack of cohesion on the field and a lack of confidence in one another. We are held together by a small group of good players and the rest lack the quality needed to blend a team. Cannot see where the improvement is going to come from. There is a gulf between our best and the rest and a gulf in consistency.

Could not agree more. These guys are just so tiresome. Driven by ego, self importance, commercial interest and what they see as their own personal brand. Both just full of themselves and their wonderful ideas. They are the type of guys that turn you off the sport. Arrogant, self serving and insincere to boot. I do feel very violent when I see, hear or read about them.

Correct. McNamee wanted Nic as he thought he would generate more excitement, crowds:supporters, advertising. But he had no say and was on the nose with Jimmy. And left the club as a result.

Well said.

True Sir, I guess some of us are in the last Q and need to see success replace failure.

With respect Dr, we understand it and recognise, but regurgitating the same issues over 40 or 50 years does not reveal the universal truth. How many times do you need to write and read about the same issues. All we do is reinforce the negativity surrounding the club. We all recognise the issues and our lack of success, but it does not result in success on the field. The club has been trying to achieve success for a long time. Our efforts from the time that PJ and Roos came aboard have been designed to do this. Our financial position has improved and our administration has been stable. We have many capable people on board. But it’s tough with not much leeway between success and failure. We are no longer getting slaughtered by huge margins. So we have improved over recent years. But the competition is fierce and clearly we have gaps in our playing list. Our skills have not been up to standard and we don’t have many A graders. In addition the jury is still out on our head coach and his game plan. But let’s talk about the present and future not the past.

Just call me Ernie.

Not sure why supporters want to wallow in the mire by constantly revisiting the past. Very depressing. It is what it is. The past gets revisited all the time and despite folks best and worst efforts there is never any clarity and indeed there will never be an answer. The reasons for our lack of success has been rehashed hundreds of times. It is just a game and for many during this pandemic it suddenly seems less important than life itself.

All good comments. What we do know is that no team can afford to a big slow ruckman with limited skills and mobility. As stated by “collar” if you have two high quality ruckman who can also play a key position, it’s a different matter. That’s the beauty of having Jackson.

Very sad for Laidley and his family. A good footballer and coach. Many ex footballers fall short on the moral rectitude stakes. Pretty much a reflection on the vicissitudes of humankind. He should receive some sympathy and compassion. Again highlights the importance of good mental health and the struggle that we all experience in maintaining the appropriate balance in our life. We all need to be able to repress some of our thoughts and behaviours. It is just another example of the dangers of social media and the communication of material of a personal nature.

Great memory Tim. Paul had a lot going for him until his injury. He and Dallas were East Bentleigh boys from memory.

A sniper is far too polite.

There is a lot of help available these days, however, for the sufferer the biggest challenge is to find the right person. That person may be a coach, mentor, GP, friend, psychiatrist, psychologist etc. Anyone with the right skill set, personal and/or professional. That person needs to have personal attributes that include listening skills, empathy, life experience, care, patience and a genuine desire to help the sufferer that is not influenced by ego or money. The sufferer needs to feel that they gave a trusted person in their corner that will maintain privacy and discretion. It may be a combination of these people. Serious mental health problems may require medication and techniques used by a psychiatrist or psychologist assisted by an experienced GP or mentor. I would always be cautious about seeking help from someone within a club or organisation. In my experience, these people may not be the best available or best suit the sufferer. Often there is a conflict of interest. There are a lot of helpers out there, professional or otherwise The challenge is finding the right one.

The clubs greatest asset.

Elite ? Hate the word. Before the word was coined along with derogatory words such as spud and dud, at a time when players had jobs and the media reported on players and games without sensationalism, ego or headline grabbing, and supporters were loyal to their players and team, irrespective of their position on the ladder, a different language was used. Players were not duds or spuds, they were “not up to it” or “good seconds” (reserve) players. Some players were described as “good” or “solid” players, some were “very good” players even “great” players, and the exceptional few were crowned with the word “Star” or “Champion.” Players in our great teams of the 50s and 60s could be described this way. Our champion was RDB. The rest were great players, very good players or good players. The rest played in the seconds or were dispatched to country and local leagues. You would not have described these players as elite, duds or spuds. Anyway, getting back to my point I hate the word “elite”, It has become a buzz word that suggests that the author or speaker knows what they are talking about. Yes, everyone in the dog eat dog industry use it. That does not mean everyone else has to slavishly use it. Oops looks like I have finished the bottle. Now where did I put that single malt? .

A good list. For mine hard to go past Johnson, Viney and S. Febey for consistency.

Big Carl was very protective of the little fella. Not sure it stacks up to scrutiny but he appeared to be one of the smallest guys ever to play the game. Not the fastest or most skilled player going around but courage and tenacity in spades. When he was over the footy and it was in his hands it was hard to prise the thing out of his iron grip. At the time was sorry to see him go to the Saints.

Ozzie was a turnover king. Would have been a perfect fit today!! Showed early promise but lacked skill and composure. Could be a long field kick but inaccurate particularly kicking for goal. Ran in straight lines and a fumbler. But a good honest trier. Tried at centre half forward, flank and defence but never settled into a position.

A terrific player whose career was hampered by injury. A dasher off the half back flank but could play tall. Guts and determination. Great to watch in his prime until injury slowed him down.